
BookJAliiD^ 



HISTORY -i 



OF 



McDoNOUGH County 



ILLINOIS 



ITS CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES, 



EARLY REMINISCENCES, PERSONAL INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES, 



AND A COMPLETE 



BUSINESS DIRECTOKY OP THE COUNTY. 

J 
/ 

By S. J. CLARKE. 




SPRINGFIELD, 

D. W. LUSK, STATE PRINTER AND BINDER. 

1878. 



TO THE PIONEERS 

OP 

Mcdonough county, 

THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 

BT 

THE AUTHOR. 






PREFACE. 



It is uow two years since I conceived the idea of publishing a sketch of McDonoufjh 
county, for that was all really intended. The first to whom I submitted my plan was 
Hon. Benjamin R. Hampton, who approved the same as far as it went, but suggested its 
enlargement, and referred me to Hon. James M. Campbell, Hon. Alexander McLean, 
Joseph E. Wyne,and others for their opinion. Each one encouraged the enterprise, but 
with the suggestion that I should publish not only a short sketch, but a full and complete 
history of the county. Prospectuses of the proposed publication were at once issued 
and the work began. In order to test the enterprise a partial canvass of the city of 
Macomb was made, and in three or four days' time two hundred subscribers were 
Becured, and I was thus encouraged to continue the work and solicit subscriptions from 
those living in other towns and in the country. 

Of the magnitude of the work I then had no conception. I was of the opinion there 
were yet living many of the old pioneei-s from whom information could be obtained 
without difficulty; but in this I was greatly mistaken. Few indeed are the number 
dating their residence in the county previous to the year 1830 ; and even of those of 
from one to five years latar, the number Ls fast becoming perceptibly less. Since th^ 
projectitm of this work, quite a number have been calletl to their long homes, of whom 
we now recall the names of Hon. James Clarke, Hon. Cyrus Walker, Vandever Banks. 
T. J. Pennington, John Clark, David Seybold, John Lane, and Larkin C. Bacon, the last 
mentioned passing away while the work was in the hands of the printer. From some 
of these we expected to obtain much vtiJaable information, and had single interviews 
with one or two, with the promino of othei*s; bat 'Man proiJoses and God disposes."' 
The interviews were never had, and now their lips ara hushed in death, and no more will 
their stories of pioneer life bo ILsttoied to with interest and pleasure liy those gathering 
around their hospitable firesides. 

The author has lal)ored under many advei-so circumstances in the prosecution of the 
worlc Without a dollar in his prxiket or to his credit, without material assistance of any 
kind from any source, he began the compilation of a work that has required two full 
years to cumi>let«. 



4 I'REFACE. 

As previously remarked, the diflSculty in securing information was far greater than he 
anticipated ; eHpecially has this been the case with respect to dates. In order to learn 
the dates of the settlements made by William Carter and "William Job, several weeks 
were spent in visiting and interviewing old settlers, besides writing many letters to those 
who had formerly lived in the county and were supposed to be cognizant of the facts in 
the case. The conclusions arrived at are satisfactory to his mind, and will be to the 
mind of any who will take the same trouble to obtain the knowledge. The same car© 
taken to learn the exact time in which the settlements mentioned were made, has been 
taken to verify every fact given. That errors may creep in, however guarded one may 
be, cannot be doubted ; but I believe they will be few and far between. 

Although in the compilation of the work much time has been spent, and therefore it 
has been quite tedious, yet it has not been unmixed with pleasure. Many days and 
nights have I spent in listening to the stories of the old pioneers ; ever hearing some- 
thing new ; now laughing and then crying, as the ludicrous or the pathetic was narrated ; 
and then in the study of the character of our fathers and those of the present genera- 
tion, time with me has slipped quickly away. 

And now, at the close of my labors, I cannot lay down my pen without returning 
thanks to the many kind friends who have assisted me in obtaining information, and 
have encouraged me from time to time with words of cheer ; especially would I remem- 
ber Hon. James M. Campbell, Hon. Alexander McLean, I. N. Pearson, Circuit Clerk ; 
Joseph E. Wyne, Deputy Circuit Clerk ; A. L. Sparks, County Clerk ; Hampton & Hain- 
line, publishers Macomb Journal ; Thomas Fulkerson and Charles E. Hume, all of whom 
have placed me under special obligations. I would also not forget Rev. B. N. Wiles, of 
Macomb, who, by his advice and counsel has greatly assisted me, nor Charles C. Chapman, 
who has been a co-laborer with me in the work. The printing is from the office of D. W. 
Lusk, State Printer, Springfield, Illinois, and great credit is due him for the handsome 
typographical appearance of the book. The binding is from the same establishment, 
and superintended by George E. Boos, the excellent foreman of the bindery department, 
who is entitled to thanks for the faithful manner in which he has performed his part of 
the work. 

My work is now done, and it is presented to you with the hope that it may please; 
that its errors you will kindly overlook, and that you will be well repaid in its perusal. 

Yours truly. 

S. J. CLARKE. 

Macomb, III., Dec;mber 1, 1877. ' ' % ' 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 



EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 



First Settlements— Home of the Red Men— Beautiful Country— A Prairie Fire- A Change^l 
Scene— Boundaries of County Defined by Act of the Legislature— Timber and Prairie- 
First Settlers— Sketch of the Life of John Baker— Macomb Settlement- Flogging In- 
diana—A Great Hunt-Death by a, Deer— Organization of County— Meeting of County 
Commissioners— Various Orders— Election of Magistrates— Names of Jurors for First 
Term of Circuit Court— First Treasurer— Eight Hundred Dollars Bond— First Term of 
Circuit Court— Taxes— Big Snow— Description of same by James Clarke, Esq.— John 
Rogers— Hominy as a Daily Food— Dreary Winter— Settlers Generally Cheerful— Only 
One Marriage 17 — 26 



CHAPTER II. 

1831. 

James M. Caniiibell- Appointment to Various Onices- Taken for a Yankee— Prejudice 
Against this Class— Economy in County Affairs— Survey of Macomb— Would Not Work 
for the Two Best Lots in Town— Court House— Tavern License— Rates Allowed Land- 
lords—First Applicant a Preacher— Sale of Town Lots in Macomb— Resignation of John 
Baker- Appointment of J. M. Campbell— Oath of Oilice— Mercantile License Required- 
Appointment of Commissioner of School Lands— Second Term of Court— Trial of David 
Morgan for Murder— Convicted— Verdict Set Aside by the Judge, and Prisoner Dis- 
charged—Indictment Against Thomas Morgan for Murder— Continuance Granted— 
Escape from Schuyler County Jail— J. W. Brattle— County Treasurer— Twelve Marriages 
Carrying Postoffice in His Hat— First Postmaster 27— S2 



CHAPTER ni. 

1832-34. 

Hard Life and Poverty of Early Settlers— "Millions In It"— Erection of a Jail— A Hard 
Kick— Strange Order- Tax on Slaves- Is McDonough County in a Free State ?— New- 
Court House— Awarding the Contracts— Completion and Occupancy— Years of Service— 
An Incident— Expenses of County— Strange Accounts— Black Hawk War— Company 
Formed at Macomb— Eighty-six days in Service— Partial List of Volunteers— Cold 
Weather— Frozen to Death 83 — 38 



6 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTEK IV. 

THE LOST CHILD. 

Where Is Willie?— Anxiety of the Mother— Search for the Wanderer- First Night— Not Yet 
Found— Help Arriving— Second Day's Search— Discouragement of the Searchers— An- 
other Night of Suspense— The Mother's Agony— Dangerous Condition— Third Night- 
No Nearer a Solution of the Question— Fourth Day of the Search— Searchers Going 
J lome— Determination of Others to Solve the Mystery— Hope— Disappointment— F(X)t 
Prints Again Discovered— Trail Lost— Again Discovered— Found— Capture— Nearly 
Wild— Father Notified— The Joyful News Broken to the Mother— Restoration of the Lost 
Child to His Mother's Arms— Reflections 39— 4& 

CHAPTER V. 

MUKDEB OF JOHN WILSON. 

The McFaddens'— John Wilson- Threatsmadeby McFaddens' against Wilson— Shooting of 
Wilson- Coolness of the Murderers — Their Arrest—Excitement of the People — Prelim- 
inary Examination— Committed to Jail without Bail— Trial and Execution at Rush- 
ville 46— 4& 

CHAPTER YI. 

PEBSONAL INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES. 

Hospitality of Early Settlers— Even Book Agents Welcomed— Prejudice Against Yankees- 
Charles R. Hume— "Visit from a Neighbor— Ordered to Leave— Didn't Go— Invitation to 
Dine— Accepted at the Point of a Pistol— Talk Over Matters— Uncle Billy McKamy— 
How lie Treated a Yankee— Neighborly Act— Grimm and the Lewistown Lawyers — 
Possession Nine Points in the Law— Neighbors that were not Neighborly— Determina- 
tion of a Young Couple to Marry— Objection by Parents— The Runaways— Firet Night 
in the Woods— Arrival at Nauvoo — Embarassment of the Bridegroom-" Have You Got 
Any Nails ? "—The Knot Tied— A Marriage That Didn't Occur -Couldn't Marry au Abo- 
litionist—The Supper Eaten and Guests Dismissed— "Not Guilty"— "But I Admonish 
Y'ou Never to do it Again"— Guilty, Yet Not Guilty— Swearing in Court— Killing a 
Witch— Conviction and Death Sentence by a Justice of the Peace— "Bring on Your 
Rails "—"The whole d— d thing's busted up." 4(V— 67 

CHAPTER VII. 

1834—38. 

Little Required For Actual Necessities— Fashionable Society Not Introduced— Opening New 
Roads— Why Timber Land Was First Settled— Aid Asked of State to Pay Expenses of the 
McFaddens' Trial— Not Granted— Thomas Ilayden Allowed $1.50 for Hanging McFad- 
dens— Paupers-Freeing a Slave— Hard Times Following Panic of 1837— Not Felt Until 
1838— Continued For Several Years— Substitutes For Money— Sample of Prices- Richard 
Pennington's Story— Nearest Market— Selection From Ford's History— Laws of Trade- 
How a modern farmer lost his money 58—65 

CHAPTER yill. 

EAKLY SETTLEMENTS. 

Carter's— Job's— Pennington's Point— Camp Creek— Macomb— Ilillsgrove-Middletown 66— 7& 

CHAPTER IX. 

THE MOBMONS. 

Population of County— Mormons— Sympathy Enlisted— Description of the Mormons— Their 
Religion— Conversion of George Miller- A Wonderful Cure by "I^aying on of Hands"- 
Baptism oi Miller— Removal to Nauvoo— Election of 1&13— Cyrus Walker— Mormons 



CONTENTS. 7 ■ 

Hold the Biilance of Power— Peculiar Ordinances of Nauvoo— Mormon Justice— Deter- 
mination of the People to Efl'ect a Change— The Militia Assemble at Carthage— Arri- 
val of Gov. Ford— A Conference— Committee sent to Nauvoo— Surrender of Joe Smith 
and Others— Joe Smith shown to the Troops— Discharge of the Volunteers— McDonough 
Troops Return— The Governor Goes to Nauvoo— Killing of the Prophet— Graphic De- 
scription—End of the Murderers not Gained— Horse Stealing— Mormons Charged with 
All Kinds of Theft— Flogging Mormons— Volunteers for Nauvoo— A Battle— One Killed, 
Several Wounded— The Mormons Are Sent Over the River— List of Volunteers From 
McDonough in 1841 7C— 9d 



CHAPTER X. 

A NEWSPAPKB AND A EAELEOAD. 

Reorganization of the County— Last Meeting of the County Commissioners— County Court 
—Railroad Agitation— A Newspaper in Macomb— George W. Smith— His Melancholy 
End— The "Independent" on Railroads— Railroad Meetings— County Court Petitioned 
to Order a Vote on the County Taking Stock in the Proposed Road— Order Granted— 
Canvass of the County- Opposition to Railroads— "What a Terrible Thing it would be" 
—Statement that One Train of Cars would Carry all the Surplus Grain and Stock Raised 
in the County in One Year— How is it Now — Railroads and Yankee Thrift— Postpone- 
ment of the Vote— Further Efforts— Vote Taken— Carried— Prediction of the Independ- 
ent More than Fulfilled— Another Election Called— Additional Stock Subscribed— First 
Appearance of the Iron Horse— Effect on Values 90—107 



CHAPTER XI. 

HOME LITE AND AMUSEMENTS. 

Dwellings of Our Fathers — Exterior Description— People Industrions—Children Compelled 
to Labor— Clothing Worn— Home Manufacture — Drudgery of Women — Influence of the 
Bible— Cultivation of Flax, Cottou and Wool— The Big and Little Spinning Wheels- 
Seasons of Fun— Quilting Bees— Corn Huskinga — Apple Parings— The Little Brown Jug- 
Drinking Universal— Hunting— House Raising— Election Days— Kind Hearts- Neigh- 
borly Acts and Universal Love lOS— 112 



CHAPTER XII. 

VABIOU3 MATTEBS. 

Murder of Jams Dye — Coroner's Inquest— Verdict of Jury — Arrest of Mrs. Dye, David Bur- 
ress, and S. P. Ray— Commitment to Jail— Indictment by the Grand Jury— Ray Dis- 
charged by the Court— Change of Venue Taken by the Other Parties— Trial of Mrs. 
Dye at Lewiston — Able Counsel Employed— Convicted— Four Years in the Penitentiary — 
Pardoned Before Expiration of Terra— Belief in her Innocence— Death— Other Rail- 
roads Projected — 550,000 Subscibed in Aid of R. I. & A. Rtiilroad- Order Made by Court 
to Take the Vote on the Adoption or Rejection of Township Organization Law— Propo- 
sition Carried- Commissioners Appointed to Divide the County Into Townships— New 
Jail— Poorly Constructed— An Expense to the County— Sale of the Old Jail to the City 
of Macomb— Last Meeting of the Court— Escape of Burress — Never Secured 110 — 119 



CHAPTER XIII. 

DIVISION OP THE COUNTY. 

County Divided Into Sixteen Townships— Names— First Election— Changes Since Made — 
Historical Sketches of the Townships— Eldorado— Industry— New Salem— Mound— Scot- 
land— Macomb— Walnut Grove— Blandinsville—Clmlmers — Prairie City and Bushnell— 
Hire— Tennessee— Lnmoine— Emmet— Bethel 120—139 



8 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

GEOLOGICAL. 

Geological Information — Statistics— St. Louis Limestone— Keokuk Limestone- Coal— Fire 
Clay— Iron Ore— Building Stone— Limestone for Lime— Sand and Clay for Brick— Soil 
and Agriculture 140—157 

CHAPTER XV. 

TEMPEEANCE. 

Views of Early Settlors on the Temperance Question— Pure Whisky Would Make the Drunk 
Come— Washingtoniau Tidal Wave— First Temperance Lecture in the County— Difli- 
culty in Securing a Chairman— Effect of the Addresses— Sons of Temperance— Good 
Templars— Temple of Honor— Daughters of Temperance — Cadets of Temperance- Cold 
Water Templars— Election of a Temperance Candidate for the Legislature— Decrease of 
Intemperance— Remarks 158—160 



CHAPTER XVI. 

1857-1860. 

First Meeting of the Board of Supervisors— Names of Members— Resume of the Preced- 
ing Ten Years- Speculative Fever— High Prices of Real Estate— 1856— Nemaha Valley 
Bank— Crash of 1857— Failure of William II. Randolph & Co.— Public and Private Im- 
provements Su.spended — Depreciation of Values — The License Question — Saloon 
Keepers Imitate Example of the Importunate Women in the Scriptures— Reduction of 
License— Poor Farm Ordered Sold— Trouble between City of Macomb and County on 
the Pauper Question— N. C. R. R. Bonds— Refu.sal by the Board to pay the Coupons in 
New York — Suit Brought Against tlie County — County's Counsel Advises the Payment 
According to Contract— Resolutions Asking Relief to Taxpayers- Low Prices— Scarcity 
of Gold— Various Resolutions Looking to Relief 161 — 166 



CHAPTER XVII. 

THE WAE AT HOME. 

'Days that Tried Men's Sonls."~McDonough County Politically — Natural Sympathy of 
many with the South— Patriotism Prevails— Love for the Old Flag— Bombardment of 
Fort Sumpter— How the News was Received in McDonough— The County Aroused — 
Quick Response to the Call of the President— Meetings held Throughout the County — 
Specimen Resolutions— Organization of Three Companies for the Sixteenth Regiment 
— Their Departure — "May God Bless You."— Old and Young Desire to Enlist — Battle 
Fields — Many Vacant (/'liairs now to be Seen— Sleeveless Coats now Among Us— Aid 
Societies Formed— The Women Determined to do their Duty— The Twenty-eighth Regi- 
ment at Shiloh— Flag Presented by the County to Company "D." — One Hundred Dollars 
Appropriated by the Board of Supervisors for Sanitary Purposes — Bad News from the 
Field —Organization of the Sons of Liberty — Party Strife Again Running High— Recruit- 
ing almost Suspended— Hampton's Resolutions — Voted Down — Reid's Resolutions 
Adopted — Resolutions to Encourage and Aid Enlistments — Board Refused to Adopt — 
Call from the Government for More Volunteers— Draft Ordered— Appointment of Wm. 
H. Randolph Deputy United States Marshal— Resolutions Favorable to a Bounty Adopt- 
ed—Three Hundred Dollars Bounty— L. H. Waters and others Oppose It— Amount Ex- 
pended— Killing of Wm. H. Randolph, Deputy United States Marshall— Escape of the 
Murderers— Capture of Miles Bond by Frank E. Fowler, United States Detective— Trial 
at Rushville— Acquittal— Arrest of James and John Bond— Trial at Macomb— Verdict 
Rendered "Not Guilty."— Great Excitement— Fall of Richmond— Joy of the People — 
Joy Turned into Sorrow — A.ssassination of President Lincoln— Close of the Rebellion- 
Return of the Boys in Blue— Thanks be to the Father of All 167—181 



CONTENTS. y 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

THE WAB IN THE FIELD. 

Soldiers Brave and Modest— Sixteenth Regiment— Irish Lovers— Ancestrj'—" Architect of 
the Natural Bridge "-Dutch Solomon and General Pope— Stealing their Ammunition — 
" Clase Up"— "Is That High Enough Massa"— Model Business Letter— More Compa- 
nies Raised— Company II, Second Illinois Cavalry— Twenty-Eighth Regiment— Company 
L, Seventh Illinois Cavalry— Swearing Soldier— Fifty Fifth Regiment— Company C, Fifty - 
Ninth Regiment — Sixty-Fourth Regiment— John Jacobs, a Prisoner- Claims to be a Con- 
federate Spy— Borrows a Mule and Gun from Rebels- Captured by Union Soldiers— About 
to bo Hung as a Rebel Spy— Taken to Ileadquarters-Identified— Recovery of Mule and 
Gun— Discipline — Give the Countersign—" I'm General Gordon Granger "—"You Can- 
not Pass Here" — Capture of a Rebel Flag — Seventy-Eighth Regiment— One Hundred 
and Nineteenth Regiment— One Hundred and Twenty-Fourth Regiment- One Hundred 
and Thirty-Seventh Regiment— One Hundred and Fifty-First Regiment — Company H, 
Second Artillery— Company B, Tenth Missouri— General Summary —List of McDonoug^ 
Soldiers — Residence— Date of Enlistment— Final Disposition— Miscellaneous List 182 — 241 

CHAPTER XIX. 

FIBST IMPBESSIONS MAEKING STOCK. 

What Various Individuals Thought of McDonough County— Stock Marks 242—246 

CHAPTER XX. 

NEW COURT HOUSE AND JAIL. 

186S — Resolutions in Favor of Building— Condemnation of the Old Structure— Committee 
Appointed to Confer with the City Council of Macomb — Legislature Petitioned— Taylor's 
Resolution— White's Resolution— Refusal to Build Unless Macomb Should Donate 820,000 
Additional to Their Tax— City Council Refuses to Comply— N. P. Tinslcy Steps in the 
Breach— Agreement Between Macomb and the County— Plans Adopted— Contract 
Awarded— Cost — Description-List of All County Officers 247 —256 

CHAPTER XXI. 

OTHEE EAILEOADS. 

Rock Island and Alton Railroad— Aid Granted— Southern Outlet— Sale of the Franchises of 
the Road— Tricks of the New Company— New Lines Adopted — Large Subscriptions Ob- 
tjiined — Demand for County's Subscription — Sold Under Mortgage — New Company 
Formed— Again Sold— Petition to the County Board to Vote Subscription to II., M. C.,L. 
<k E. Railroad 257—259 

CHAPTER XXn. 

NEWSPAPEE ENTEEPBISE3. 

"McDonough Independent."— "Macomb Journal."— "Prairie City Chronicle."- "Prairie 
Chief."— "Prairie Chicken."— "Macomb Ledger." — "Prairie City Herald."— "Bushnell 
Record."— "Western Light."— "The Macomb Independent."— "The Gleaner." 260-266 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

UNDEEOEOUND EAILEOAD. 

Question of Slavery— Organization of the U. G. Railroad — Its Mode of Operation— Route 
Through the County— Iucidents—"What am I?" — Charley's Thouglits— His Escape — 
Arrival at Blazer's Station— Leaving— His Return— In Search of Wife and Children — 
Failure — Second and Third Trip— Escape with Wife— Recapture of his Wife— Charley's 
Escape— At Itvst Successful in Getting his Wife and Children — A Lively Load and Lively 
Time— Six Negroes— Start for Macomb— On the Wrong Road— Charley Recognized— Old 
Fashiouod Plantiition "Hoe Down."— Betrayal of the Negro Preacher— Virginia Homo 



10 CONTENTS. 

—Death of His Master— Removal— Promise of Freedom— Sending Caesar South— Warued 
by a Stranger— His Escape— Given a Horee — On the Line of the U. G. R. R.— Failure to 
Find his Wire— Train Captured— David Chrisman- Agent's House Watched— Feint- 
Attack— One Captured— A White Negro— "G'wine to J ine de Yankee Church"— Negro 
Tom— Escape— Fight with Bloodhounds— Arrival at Blazer's— Views on Religion— Pre- 
sence of Mind— Dobbins' Son— Negro Saved by a Small Boy— Going to Market— Lost- 
Directions Given— Negroes taken from the Train of the C, B. and Q. R. R.— Taken to 
the Hotel by City Marshal— Remain until Made Free by Proclamation of Abraham 
Lincoln....; 2C7-279 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

STONK COAL CLAY. 

Coal— Extents— .Vverage Yield— Quality— Stone— Quality and Extent- McLean's Statement 

Rowley's Bank— Grindstonesv _ 280—282 

CHAPTEll XXV. 

m'dONOUGH county AOBICULTritAL SOCIETY. 

Organization- First Fair— A Success— Second Exhibition— Lease of Grounds— Contrast 
Between First and Present Exhibition— Chandler's White Bull— Blooded Stock— Time 
Required for Fair— Fortunate in Officers— Purchase of New Grounds— First and only 
Failure, which was no Failure— Present Officers— Stock Association — Appeal 283—286 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

BLACK LAWS. 

Early Prejudice— Specimen of the Black Laws — Negroes in McDonough — Negro Barber 
and J. M. Campbell— Not so Bad After All— What he would do with Bob- Indictment 
against Geo. W. Rcid for Violation of the Black Laws 287-289 

CHAPTER XXVn. 

IlESOUHCES OP THE COUNTY. 

Extent of Territory- Improved Lands— Unimproved Lands— Real and Personal Property- 
Wheat — Corn — Oats — Other Products— Rye and Barley— Buckwheat— Potatoes — Meadow 
Land— Pasture — Wood Land — Horses — Cattle— Mules and Asses — Sheep — Swine— Orch- 
ards— Apples— Peaches— Pears and Plums — Cherries— Grapes— Small Fruit — Carriages 
and Wagons— Tables 290— 3ijO 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

THE EAB OF MCDONOUGH CK)UNTY. 

Judges of the Circuit Court— Richard M. Y'oung, James H. Ralston, Peter Lott, Stephen A. 
Douglas, Jesse B. Thomas, Norman H. Purj)le, Wm. A. Minshall, Pinkncy H. Walker, 
John S. Bailey, C. L. Higbee, S. P. Shope -State's Attorneys— Thomas Ford, Wm. Rich- 
ardson, Henry L. Bryant, Wm. Elliot, Robert S. Blackweli, Calvin A. Warren, John S. 
Bailey, Louis H. Waters, Thomas E. Morgan, L. W. James, Crosby F. Wheat — Other 
Members of the Bar — Cyrus Walker— The Present Bar 301—312 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

BAILBOAD BUSINESS. 

The C, B. A Q. R. R.— What It Has Done for the County— T , P. &. W.— Its Business— Tablea 

of Shipments and Receipts 313 — S15 



CONTENTS. 11 

CHAPTEll XXX. 

EIOQKAPHICAIj. 

Ijarkin C. Bacon— Major Thomas A. Brooking— A. V. Brooking— Edgar J?ollo9— Alonzo Barnes 
— James II. Campbell— Hon. Thompson Chandler — James Clarke — David Clarke — Charles 
Chandler— John M. Crabb— Daniel M. Crabb— J. B. Cummings— B. A. Duncan, M. D.— 
Captain S. A. Eppenson — John L. Epperson— Thomas Fulkerson— John D. Ilainlinc — W. 
H. nalnline— William Hamilton — lion. B. R. Hampton— Richard D. Hammond, M. D.— 
Dr. John Harde.sty— William C. Ilainline — Wesley Harlan— George Taylor Harlan- - 
Hon. Humiihroy Horrabin— Hon. John Hnston— Charles R. Hume— James Irwin— Rev. 
Joseph L. Kirkpatrick 316 — 3t('J- 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

POLITICAJ>. 

A Doubtful County — Party Lines were not Drawn During First Ten Years— No Caucuses 
in That Time— 1810— Democratic and Whig Parties Held Nominating Convention?— Party 
Lines Closely Drawn— Hard Cider— Whig Cclebratien at Macomb on the Fourth of July — 
What Democrats Said of It— Whigs Victorious— 1&^11-12— Democrats Triumphant First 
Year and Whigs the Second— 1813— Cyrus Walker and James P. Iloge — Endeavor to Se- 
the Mormon Vote — Trickery of Smith, the Mormon Prophets— Walker Defeated — 1844 — 
Whigs Again Triumphant in August, but Beaten in November— 1815-51— Various Changes 
Occurred — 1852— Last Campaign of the Whim's as a National Party— Triumphant in this 
County — 1853 — Democracy Victorious— 1854— Waters Carried the County by One Vote — 
Democrats Carrying the Rest of the Ticket — Waters' Election Contested — His Resigna- 
tion— .\nother Election Held, and Waters Again Triumphant— ISij.S— No Opposition to 
the Democracy — Republicans, Aiiicricans and Democrats in Campaign of 1856 — Democ- 
racy Ahead — The American Party Gives up the Ghost — Gains in the Republican Party 
in 1858— Light Vote in 1859— Campaign of 186C — Republicans Victorious— 1861-64— De- 
mocracy Victorious— 1865 — Republicans to the Front— Ditto in 1866— Democrats Elect 
County Ticket in 1867— U. S. Grant carries the County in 1868— Democracy Ahead the 
Following Y' ear— Ditto in 1870— Considerable Scratching— Grant Ahead in 1872— New 
Party Ahead In 1873—187-4-76, Republicans Ahead— General Remarks— Official Vote from 
1.S30 to 1876 inclusive 390—411 

CHAPTER XXXII. 

EDUCATIONAT.. 

Progressive Ed ucntion— Early Teaching— The Three R's— Few Schools in the Early Time— 
The Great Number at Present— The Old Log School House- Its Furniture— Woodside's 
Agreement- School Lands— Items From School Stiitistics— M'Donough College— Prairie 
City Acadamy— M'Donough Normal and Scientific College— Macomb Female Seminary- 
Sketches of the Various District Schools of Each Township— School Statistics 412—434 

CHAPTER XXXni. 

EIOOBAPHIOAL SKETCHES CONTTNUED. 

Elder John Logan— William F. McCandles— Captain J. C. McClellan— Hon. Alexander Mc- 
Lean— William C. Mc-Leod— John Mustain— Wiiliam D. Mustain— A. H. McGahan— Rev. 
Josiah Moore— Richard Musson— Thomas A. Mustain— Hon. William H. Necce— .\bra- 
ham Newland, Jr. —.\saK. Owen— Isaac N. Pearson— Joseph E. Porter— Hon. William 
H. Randolph— James Roberts 435 — 481 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 

BIOOItAPniCAL SKETCHES CONTINUED. 

Captain James W. Foe— Harvey L. Ross— Joseph Shannon- John William Siders— Benjamin 
F. Thompson— Elder J. L. Towner— Roswell Tyrrell— Captain J. B. Venard— Captain D. 
P. Wells— John G. Woodside— John Wiley— Isaac Weaver- Dr. Beverly R. Westfall— 
Hon. E. K. Westfall— Charles Wilson— Hon. C. F. Wheat— Major Stephen Yocum _482— 526 



12 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

liELIOIOUS. 

Influence of Christianity— Tlio hnprovoments That Follow the Teachings of the Bible- 
First Preaching in the County— Elder Logan— His Labors as a Preacher— Sketches.— 
Jfef/MtarBap<is<«—Antioch.—C/iris^ta;i—Blandinsville— Macomb— Bedford— New Salem— 
Bushnell— Colchester— Sciota— New hvdionl.—MethDdist ^/Ki-copa^— Macomb— Tennes- 
see — Friendship— Pdnuington'^ Point— liardolph-.Sticklcs—Blandinsville— Rock Creek — 
Maple Grove— Mound Chapel — Pleasant Grove— Liberty — Prairie City— Industry— Col- 
chester— Mound— Linn Grove— Willow Grove— New llope— Centennial —Greenwood- 
Adair— Second Church, Macomb r.27 — 550 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 

EELIGIOUS CONTINUED. 

Presbyterian— Macomb— Camp Creek— Shiloh — Prairie City— Doddsville — Bushnell— Good 
Hope — Ebenezer — Cumberland Presbyterian — Bersheba — Sugar Creek — Good Hope — In- 
dustry — West VtaiTi^— Congregational — Prairie City— Macomb — Bap^isi— Hillsborough — 
Macomb— Prairio City — Independent— Cedar Creek— Tennessee— Bushnell— Sciota — 
Blandinsville — Second Church, Macomb — Z7»ii;er.sa&i—Macomb—i2f/ormed— Bushnell— 
Free Will Baptist— Pr&iTie City — Maple Hill— CaJ/ioJic— Tennessee— Macomb— C/irwiiaw— 
Industry— Gcr/reaJi BapWs^— Bushnell Arm of the Chnrch— United Brethren in Christ — 
Elm Grove — Willow Grove- New Philadelphia — Jerusalem Chapel— Blandinsville — 
Pleasant Gale— Center ChaTpel— Evangelical iutteraji— Macomb— Salem — Statistics 531—583 

CHAPTER XXXVII. 

EEMINISCENCES. 

Recollections of John Wilson— Salem Woods' Reminiscences— Silas J. Creel's— Robert Dark's 
—Martha Russell's— James Jarvis'— J. W. Brattle's— Martitia F. Harris'— Sailing on the 
Prairie 584—593 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

PIONEEBS. 

Old Settlers' As.soeiation— Constitution— List of Pioneers 501— SOI 

CHAPTER XXXIX. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Streams of the County— Crooked Creek— Camp Creek —Grindstone Creek— Troublesome Creek 
Spring Creek- Other Streams— Matrimonial Statistics— Remarks— Table of Distances— 
Poupen'sm— Number Admitted to the Alms House— Nativity— Other Facts C02— 005 

CHAPTER XL. 



Retrospective— Organization of the County— Selection of Site for County Seat— Washington- 
Act Locating County Seat- McComb vs. Macomb— County Seat to be Permanent — Sale 
of Lots— Increase in Population— First Store— The Tavern— First Plat of the Town— Un- 
satisfactory-New One— Keaton's Survey— Brattle's Survey— Court Week— Effect of the 
Ardent— Circus Shows— Town Organization— First School House— First Brick Store — 
First Church— Cholera Epidemic— Incorporated as a City— First Board of Aldermen — 
City's Credit— City's Indebtedness— Improvtments—Few Fire.s- No Tramps Allowed— 
Improvements Needed— Sanitary Condition— Thirty Miles of Streets— Expenses of the 
City— Assessments— Railroad— Public Buildings— Opera House— School Houses— Mercan- 
tile Trade— Manufactures— Public Schools— Graded System— Churches— Value — Mem- 
bership—Description of School Buildings— List of Town Oflicers— List of City Officers— 
" A Side Glance at Macomb "—City Made a Supervisor's District— List of Supervisors — 
Items from City Directory— Business Notices— Classified Business Directory 60G— 636 



CONTENTS. 13 

CHAPTEK XLI. 

BIANDINSYILLE. 

Ixicatlon— Name-" Job's Settlement "—Additions— First Dwelling— First Store Building- 
Mercantile Trade— Merchants— Schools— Growth— Securins the T., P. & W. R. R.— Its 
Effects— Amount of Trade— Churches— Summary of Business Firms— Business Direc- 
tory 637—641 

CHAPTEll XLII. 

INDUSTBY DODDSVrLLE MIDDLETOWN. 

Proposition to J. M. Price-Shop Erected— First Post Office— Price's Recollection— First 
Store— First Physician— First Survey— Name and Nickname— Growth— Organization as a 
Town— First Town Board— Organization as a Village— Its Character-Schools— Churches- 
Manufactories— Distance from Railroad— Trustees— Summary of Business Firms— Busi- 
ness Directory— £>oddsi)tJ/e— Town Laid Out— Location— Directory— JlfiddWoiwi 642—646 

CHAPTEE XLIII. 

PEAIIUE CITY. 

Situation— When Laid Out— First Store— First Building— First Preacher— Size of the Original 
Town— Distance from Macomb and Chicago— First School Building— Barnes" and Par- 
ker's Addition— Incorporated as a Town— Officers Elected— Newspaper-Growth of the 
Town— Prairie City Academy— Schools— Churches-Petition to the Town Board— Ceme- 
teries— Village Organization— First Board— First Resolution— List of Town Officers— Prai- 
rie City Chronicle- Amount of Business Transacted— Business Notices— Business Direc- 
tory 647 — 655 

CHAPTER XLIV. 

BUSHNELL. 

Location- Survey— First Sale of Lots— Town Named— Wolf Pole— Trackless Prairie— Hen- 
dricksoH Lost— Found— First Store Building— First Stock oi Goods— First Dwellirtgs— 
First Hotel— Prosperity of the Town— Liberality of the Original Proprietors— Failures- 
New Railroad— Manufactories— Improvements— New School Building— Summary of 
Business Firm^— Amount of Business— Public Library— Organization as a City— Election, 
Officers Elected -List of Officers— Classified Business Directory 656—667 

CHAPTER XLV. 

BAKDOLPH. 

Town Laid Out— Location— Name-First Dwelling— First Store—Growth of the place— Price 
of Ijots— First School House— Incorporated as a Town— Trustees— Incorporated as a Vil- 
lage—Cause for the Change— Trustees— Temperance Town— School— Cemctery—Ship- 
nients U) and from the Town— Business Notices— Business Directory 608—676 

CHAPTER XLVI. 

CXJLCHESTER TENNESSEE HUOi's OEOVE AND COLMAB. 

Colcficslcr—Liiud Surveyed— Name— First House— First Stock of Groceries— Hotel— First 
Stock of Dry Goods— Additions— Prosperity of the Place— Incorporated as a Town— 
The Natural Advantages of Colchester— Coal Interests— Roberts' Mines— Quiiicy Coal 
Company— Colchester Coal Company— Their Immense Business— ShipmenUs and Re- 
ceipts— Schools— Churches— License Question— List of Town Officers— Mercantile Trade 
—Business Notices-Business Directory— renwssce— Town Laid Out— Ix)cation— Size of 
Lots— Value— Incorporated as a Town— Names of Members of the Various Boards of 
TtuBtoes— Clerks— Churches— Schools— Calaboose— Shipments and Receipts by Rail- 
Business Directory— //»;rs Ororc- Laid Out- Location— Surrounding Country— Business 
Directorj-—Cofmor— Location— Size of Plat^Growth of the Place— Shipment and Re- 
cti pts by Railroad— Business Directory 6T7— 686 



14 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XLVII. 

80IOTA GOOD UOPH — ADAIB — NEW PHILADELPHIA — WALNUT GBOVE AND 8COTTSBUKG. 

Sciota — First Name- Location — Surrounding Country— Additions— First Stone Building- 
First Store — Incorporated — Trustees— First Sermou— First Sclioul — Churches— Prosperity 
of the Town— Great Grain Market— Mercantile Trade — Business Notices— Shipments 
by Rjillroad— Business Directory— Good //ope— Rivalry Between Towns— Town of Sher- 
idan— Town of Milan— Post Office of Good Ilope— Town named Good Hope — Mrst 
Store — First Dwelling— Old Post Office— Incorporated as a Town— Incorporated as a Vil- 
lage — Trustees— Prosperity— General Character of the Town— First Sermon — Schools— 
Churches— Amount Shipped l)y Railroad— Business Notices— Business Directory— ^c/atr 
—Laid Out— Location— Amount of Stock and Grain Shipped— First Business House— 
Population— Business Directory— A^ew P/u7adfip/??a— Location— Old Plat — New Survey- 
Name— Directory— Walnut ffrove— Location— Business Directory— Sco««6uri7— Location- 
Shipment of Fire Clay fiS7— 092 



CHAPTER I. 



EARLY SETTLEMENT ORGANIZATION. 



The first settlement of MeDonough county of which we have 
record was in the spring of 1826. Previous to this time the county 
was in a state of unbroken wildness, the home of red men,' who 
roamed at will over its broad prairies, engaged in occupations 
peculiar to their race. No one, save the old settler, or one who 
has visited the far West, can fully realize the beauty of the coun- 
try at that time. Dividing the county centrally north and south, 
we had upon the east a broad prairie extending as far as the eye 
could reach, the tall grass gently undulating like the waves of the 
sea, while upon the west the giant oak, the stately elm, and the 
useful hickory seemingly pierced the very heavens, and stood as 
faithful sentinels over their entire surroundings. No fallen tim- 
ber or undergrowth of any kind obstructed the passage, the annual 
prairie fire making a clean path for all. A prairie on fire ! Have 
you ever witnessed one? The sight is a magnificent one indeed. 
A correspondent of the Philadelphia Enquirer, on a visit to this 
State in 1837, while traveling up the Mississippi, described in glow- 
ing terms the scenery on that grand old stream, and thus graphic- 
ally sketched a prairie on fire : 

" Whilst enjoying the sublimity of the scene, night threw her 
mantle o'er the earth, and the sentinel stars set their watch in the 
skies, when suddenly the scene was lighted by a hlaze of light 
illuminating ever}' object around. It was the prairie on fire. Lan- 
guage cannot convey, words cannot express to you the faintest idea 
of the grandeur and splendor of that mighty conflagration. Me- 
thought that the pale Queen of Night, disclaiming to take her ac- 
customed place in the heavens, had dispatched ten thousand 
messengers to light their torches at the altar of the setting sun, and 
that now they were speeding on the wings of the wind to their 
H— 2 



18 HISTORY OP m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

appointed stations. As I gazed on that mighty conflagration my 
thougiits recurred to you, immured in the walls of a city, and I 
exclaimed in the fullness of my heart : 

' O fly to the prairie in wonder, and gaze, 
As o'er the grass sweeps the magnificent blaze : 
The world cannot boast so romantic a sight, 
A continent flaming, 'mid oceans of light.' " 

How changed the scene now ! The timber, in many places, has 
been cleared away, and beautiful farms appear in its stead. The 
broad prairies have been shorn of their native beauty, and the 
hand of man has endeavored to excel in their decoration. The 
iron horse now courses over the prairie and through the timber 
where once only the trail of the red man was known. Villages, 
towns and cities appear w^here the wigwam was once seen. All 
this change has taken place in fifty years. What will the next 
fifty years bring forth ? Who can tell ? 

On the admission of the State into the Union, what is now known 
as McDonough county was a part of Madison. Afterward, by an 
act of the Legislature, approved June 30, 1821, it was placed with- 
in the boundaries of Pike, and by a subsequent act, approved Feb- 
ruary 10, 1826, its present boundaries were determined, and it was 
attached to Schuyler county for judicial and recording purposes. 
As before remarked, the county is about equally divided between 
timber and prairie, the eastern tier of townships being mainly 
prairie, while the western is chiefly timber. When we shall come to 
the descriptions of townships, we shall notice this matter more at 
length, giving the exact proportions of each. The county is 
bounded on the north by Henderson and Warren, on the south by 
Schuyler, on the east by Fulton, and on the west by Hancock. 

To William Carter and *Riggs Pennington belong the honor of 
the fii-st settlement, about one mile southeast of the present town 
of Industry, in the south part of the county. The settlement was 
named in honor of Mr. Carter, who resided in the neighborhood 
for several years, when he removed to the State of Missouri. Mr. 
Pennington, shortly afterward, removed also. He was the first 
Justice of the Peace residing in the county. 

It is not known if any others settled in the county that year, but 
in the followingyear (1827) William Job and brother, John Vance, 
and others, settled near where the town of Blandinsville is now lo 
cated, the neighborhood taking the name, and being known for many 

*Riggs Pennington left the county at a very early day, removing to Knox county, in this State, 
from which place he emigrated to Texas in the spring of 1837, and where he died some years since. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 19 

years afterwards as " Job's settlement." William Pennington, in 
1828, located in the neighborhood now known as "Pennington's 
Point," in the southwest corner of New Salem township, where he 
remained about three years, removing to Spring Creek, in the 
north part of the county. Elias McFadden, also, at this time set- 
tled near the present city of Macomb, living on the farm now 
owned by William Hunter, about one mile south of the city, John 
Baker came out in the fall of this year, or in the spring of '29, and 
built the first house on the site of the present city of Macomb. 
Mr. Baker was a minister of the Regular Baptist Church, but gave 
little time to his calling, engaging almost exclusively in secular 
pursuits. He was appointed the first Clerk pro tern, of the County 
Commissioners' Court on the organization of the county, which 
position he retained only a few months. He held membership -in 
the New Hope Baptist Church, in Job's settlement, from which he 
was expelled for unchristian conduct. He left the county about 
the year 1835, going to Missouri, and from thence to Texas. In 
the latter place he again felt a longing desire to become useful in 
the cause ot Christ, and friends there, knowing his talents, desired 
him to resume the work of the ministry. This he was too con- 
scientious to do until first restored by the church from which he 
had been excluded; so, in the year 1840, he returned to the county, 
riding eight hundred miles of the distance on horseback, that he 
might again meet with the New Hope Church, make confession, and 
be restored to its fellowship. The church joyfully received hiui, 
and he was again commissioned to go forth bearing "glad tidings." 
Returning to Texas, he was occasionally heard from for several 
years later, and always with good report. Whether now living 
or dead, we know not. 

In 1830, James Clarke, David Clarke, William Pringle, Resin Nay- 
lor, and a few others, settled in the neighborhood of Macomb. At 
this time Indians were still frequent visitors to the cabins of the 
white man. It was in the fall of 1830 that a large number of the 
tribe of Fox or Sac Indians encamped on the creek just west of 
Macomb for the purpose of engaging in their annual fall hunt, 
when a few of the brave settlers went out and ordered them away, 
and in order to hasten their departure, caught a few of them, and 
while some of their number kept guard, Resin Naylor, with a 
hickory withe, gave them thirty and nine lashes upon their bare 
backs. In doing this the settlers ran a great risk, for the In- 
dians were well armed, while the whites had only a few old flint- 



20 HISTORY OF m'dONOLU^H COUNTY. 

lock muskets, the most of whicli were too rusty to be of any 
service. Luckily no resistance was made, and the Indians hastily 
left. 

As showing how destructive of game the Indians were, it is re- 
lated that in the fall of 1829 one solitary Indian killed one hundred 
and sixty-nine deer in the region known as Wilson's Mill, about 
four miles southwest of Macomb ; and, strange to relate, the last 
one he shot was the means of his own death. After shooting the 
deer, and seeing it lie motionless upon the ground, he went for- 
w^ard for the purpose of securing his prize, w^hen it arose and ran 
him through the breast with its antlers. He was afterward dis- 
covered by others of his tribe, who gave him burial on the spot 
where he fell, }»la(,'ing within his grave his gun, tomahawk, knife, 
and other implements. The mound erected over his grave was 
still visible a lew years ago, but about the year 1832 some vandal 
opened the grave and stole therefrom the buried arms. 

In this same year (1830j Rosw^ell Tyrrell, David Fees, John Gib- 
son, and others, settled in the western part of the county, in what 
is now known as Lamoine, Tennessee, and Bethel townships. 
They were followed shortly afterward by the Marks, Edmondsons, 
Dunsworths, Archers, and others, all the various settlements re- 
ceiving reinforcements. It was now thoughtthere was a sufficient 
number of inhal)itants to justify an organization of the county; ac- 
cordingly, on the fourteenth day ot June, 1830, a petition was pre- 
sented to the Hon. Kichard M. Young, fJudge of the Fifth Judicial 
District, then holding court at Rush ville, Schuyler county, signed 
by a majority of the legal voters ot the county, setting forth that 
McDonough county had the number -"^f inhabitants required by an 
act of the Legislature for the organization of counties, and upon 
the said day his honor issued the following order: 

State of Illinois. ) j^ , 
McDonough County, ) 

To tilt' People of the State of IllinoixJo all who xhull see these j^rexentfi, greetinc/ : 

Whereas, By the said ninth and eleventh sections of the act entitled '■ An act forming 
new counties out of the counties of Pike and Fulton, and the attached parts thereof," ap- 
proved January IS, 1825, it is made the duty of the Presiding Judge of the Fifth Judi" 
cial Circuit of the State of Illinois, whenever it shall be made to appear to his satisfaction 
that either of the counties of Hancock, Warren, Mercer, Henry, Putnam or Knox con- 
tains three hundred and fifty inhabitants, to proceed to organize the same, and to grant 
an order for the election of county officers preparatory thereto : and 

Wheueas, By virtue of an act entitled " An act supplementary to an act entitled ' An 
act forming new counties out of the counties of Pike and Fulton, and the attached parts 
thereof,' " approved Jaimary 25, 1826, a new county was created, to be called the county 



HISTORY OF M'dONOUGH COUNTY. 21 

of McDonough, with the express provision therein contained that the inhabitants of the 
said county of McDonough should enjoy and possess all the rights and privileges granted 
to the inhabitants of the several counties created by the first recited act, and to which 
the said last mentioned act is a supialement : and 

Whereas, It has l)een made to appear to my satisfaction that the said county of Mc- 
Donough contains three hundred and fifty inhabitants and upwards, and inasmuch as 
the greater part of qualified voters of said county have requested, by petition, that the 
same should be organized with as little delay as possible, I do therefore, in pursuance of 
the power invested in me by virtue of the provisions contained in the above recited acts, 
order and direct that an election in and for the said county of McDonough, at the house 
of Elias McFadden, in said county, on Saturday, the third day of July next, for the election 
of three County Commissioners, one Sheriff, and one Coroner, to serve, when elected and 
qualified, in and for the said county of McDonough, respectively, until they shall be 
superseded by the persons who may be elected at the general election, to be held on the 
first Monday in August next ensuing the date hereof ; and for the purpose of having this 
order carried into execution, I do hereby appoint Ephraim Perkins, William McDonald 
and John Rogers, Esquires, of said county, judges of said elention, whose duty it shall be 
to set up written or printed advertisements or notices of said election in at least six of 
the most public places in said county, inclusive of the place at which the said election is 
hereby directed to be held, having due regard to the situation and population of the dif- 
f ent settlements, at least ten days immediately preceding the said election, to the end that 
all persons concerned may have timely notice thereof, the election to be viva ■voce, be- 
tween the hours of 10 o'clock in the morning and 7 o'clock in the afternoon of said day, 
and conducted in all respects, as near as may be practicable, in conformity with the act 
entitled " An act regulating elections," approved January 10, 1829 ; and, lastly, the said 
judges are to certify the result of the said election to the office of the Secretary of State 
as soon thereafter as may be convenient, in order that the persons who may be elected 
and entitled to commissions may be commissioned and qualify with as little delay as 
possible, and after the said election of the said county officers shall have taken place in 
pursuance of this order, I do hereby declare the said county of McDonough to be organ- 
ized and entitled to the same rights and privileges as the other counties in this State. 

Given under my hand and seal, at Rushville, this fourteenth day of June, A. D. 1830, 
and of the independence of the United States the fiftj'-fourth. 

RICHARD M. YOUNG, 
Circuit Judge of the Fifth Jiulicinl Gircuit of the State of Illinois. 

Pursuant to this order, the election was held, and James Vance, 
James Clarke, and John Hardesty were elected County Commis- 
sioners, and William Southward, Sheriff", and Peter Hale, Coroner. 
On the same day the election was held the County Commissioners 
met and began the official business of the county. Their first 
order affirmed that the order ot Judge Young had been fully 
carried out, and that the County C'ommissioners were duly elected. 
Their second order appointed Michael Stinson, Clerk pro fcni., and 
their third order located the seat of justice at the house of John Ba- 
ker, on thesoutliwest quarter of section 31, in township (J north, and 
2 west, which is now known as Macomb township, and that '•'• the 
same be known as the town of Washington for the present." The 
Commissioners then appointed Ephraim Perkins, William McDon- 



22 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

aid, and George Dowell, judges of election, to be held at Wash- 
ington on the tirst Monday in August. Their fifth order adjourned 
the court until the fifth of July, at the residence of James Clarke. 

On the fifth of July the Commissioners met pursuant to adjourn- 
ment at the residence of James Clarke, and proceeded to divide 
the county into three Magistrate's Districts, and provide for the 
election of Justices of the Peace and Constables in each. The 
districts Avere made eight miles wide, running east and west the 
entire length of the county, and were called First, Second and 
Third Magistrate's Districts, the first being on the south, the sec- 
ond the middle, and the third the northern portion of the county. 
An election was called for the First District at the house of James 
Vance on the first Saturday in August following (1830) for two 
Justices of the Peace and two Constables. George Dowell, "Wil- 
liam S.Moore, and William Garrett were appointed judges of elec- 
tion. In the Second District, at the same time, an election was held 
at the house of John Baker for four Justices of the Peace and four 
Constables. Elias McFadden, Peter Hale, and David Troxwell 
were appointed judges of election. In the Third District, at the 
same time, at the residence of John Vance, two Justices of the 
Peace and two Constables were elected. William Deakins, John 
Wyatt, and Isaac Bartlett were appointed judges of election. 

At this general election James Vance, John Hardesty, and 
James Clarke were re-elected County Commissioners; William 
Southward, Sherifi; Peter Hale, Coroner, and Jesse Bartlett, Sur- 
veyor. The house of John Baker, at which the election was held, 
was simply a hut built of poles, scarcely large enough to deserve 
the name of logs. This house was used as a tavern, the Clerk's 
ofiice, and Court House, until the erection of the old log Court 
House, in 1831. 

At the special election, held August 7, in the several Magistrate's 
Districts, James Vance, Sr., and John IMllew were elected Justices 
of the Peace, and James Lee and James B. Tomberlin, Constables 
in and for the First District. In the Second District were elected 
James Clarke, William McDonald, Robert Cook and Samuel Bogart, 
Justices of the Peace, and John Wilson, Oliver C. Rice, Thomas 
J. Pennington, and John Harris, Constables. In the Third Dis- 
trict Ephraim Perkins and Caswell Russell were elected Justices 
of the Peace, and Francis Reading and Jacob Coffman, Constables. 

The third meeting of the first regular term of the County Com- 
miseioners' Court was held on the tirst Monday in September, 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY, 23 

1830, when the Commissioners proceeded to the selection of a grand 
and petit jury for the October ternj of the Circuit Court, being the 
first term. For grand jurymen the following names were selected : 
William Osborne, Joseph Osborne, William Garrett, Roland Lee, 
George Grace, William Hendry, William Stephens, Elias McFad- 
den, John Barber, David Troxwell, Peter Hale, Nathan A, Mc- 
Faddeu, John Carmack, John Wyatt, Sr., John Woodsides, William 
Deakins, Wright Riggins, Elijah Bristow, Caswell Russell, Abra- 
ham Gassett, and John Vance. For petit jurymen were selected 
Charles Shannon, William Shannon, John Wilson, James Vance, 
Jr., John Bridges, Thomas Bridges, Thomas Phillips, Nimrod 
Smith, Eli Osborne, Nicholas Campbell, JohnMassingill, Ephraim 
Mitchell, Enoch Cyrus, Nathan Bartlett, Russell Duncan, Reuben 
Harris, Jr., Ephraim Perkins, George Shell, William Job, Nathan 
Hume, Noble Owsly, and Larkin Osborne. 

It required about two-thirds of all the legal voters in the county 
to constitute this grand and petit jury. 

At this meeting John Baker was appointed Clerk jpro tern., in 
place of M. L. Stinson, resigned ; James Vance, Sr., was appointed 
Commissioner of School Lands; Isaac Bartlett, County Surveyor, 
and John Huston, County Treasurer. The bond of the latter was 
fixed at $800, showing that it was not expected he would ever be 
entrusted with a large amount of money. 

On the seventeenth day of October, 1830, the first term of the 
Circuit Court was held. There were present, in attendance on the 
Court, Hon. Richard M. Young, Circuit Judge ; John Baker, Clerk, 
pro tern.; William Southward, Sheriff. In the absence of Thomas 
Ford, State's Attorney, James M. Strode was appointed pro tern. 
This term lasted but one day, and was held at the house of John 
Baker, in the town of Washington, the temporary county seat of 
McDonough county. But little business was transacted, the grand 
and petit juries both being dismissed without performing any 
duties. The order of Judge Young calling an election for the or- 
ganization of the county was ordered spread upon the records of 
the court, as well as an order in relation to the time of holding 
court. The bonds of Isaac Bartlett, Coroner, and William South- 
ward, Sheriff", were approved. 

Previous to the organization of the county the taxes were as- 
sessed and collected by Schuyler county, and among the first acts 
of our County Commissioners was a request that the authorities of 



24 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

that county furnish them a list of taxes assessed for the coming 
year, which request was at once complied with. 

In December, 1830, James Clarke, Esq., went to Springfield, 
and, in behalf of the county, entered the quarter section ot land 
upon which the old town of Macomb was subsequently laid out. 
For this service he was allowed the munificent sum of $3, which 
was certainly well earned, for, while returning, he was overtaken 
by the big snow storm so well remembered b}^ all the old settlers, 
and it was with great difficulty that he arrived safely at home. 
The snow began to fall when he was between Springfield and 
Beardstown, and in a few hours time all traces of the road were 
obliterated, and the only way by which he could with certainty 
know he was pursuing the right course was by observing the 
trees and large weeds that he had noticed in previously passing 
over the road. The -recollection of this " big snow " is vividly 
impressed upon the mind of more than one old settler, and the 
remembrance of the horrors of that long winter will never be oblit- 
erated while their lives shall last. The snow began to fiill the night 
of the twenty-ninth of December, and continued falling for three 
days and nights, until it reached an average depth of about four 
feet, drifting in places as high as eighteen or twenty feet. Great 
suffering was experienced in consequence. The settlers relied for 
their daily food upon the Indian corn which they were enabled to 
raise, together with the wild game, which was abundant at that 
time. Plenty of the former was raised to supply the wants of all 
until the next season's crop ; but when the snow fell, but little had 
been gathered. Game could not be had. The great depth of the 
snow was a barrier to all travel, and it may well be imagined the 
sufierings of the people were great indeed. In a letter, published 
in the March (1876) number of Clarke's Monthly, Hon. James 
Clarke thus graphically described the situation : 

" The snow fell an average depth of about four feet, and re- 
mained on the ground for about three months. All kinds of wild 
game literally starved to death. Before the snow fell the deer 
were as fat as could be, and before it passed away they were so 
poor they were not fit to eat. Wild turkeys would fall from the 
limbs of trees. The morning after the snow fell my wife was 
about three hours shoveling it from our cabin. We then 
lived about one hundred yards from the house lately occupied by 
Isaac Haines, a little southwest of Maciornb. I did not have my 
corn gathered, and had a good sized family to feed, and had five 



HISTORY OF m'uONOUGH COUiNTY. 25 

horses and some cattle. As soon as possible I sent John Wilson, 
the3'onng man afterward murdered by McFadden, with the horses 
to Morgan county to have them kept through the winter. Each 
day we would have to go out to the field, and where we could see 
a stalk of corn standing above the snow reach down until we came 
to the ear, pull it ofi:", gathering enough for the day. There were 
no mills in the country, and each family would, with a mortar and 
pestle, pound their corn so as to make bread. A few were fortu- 
nate enough to have large graters with which they would grate 
up the corn. The first thing done each morning woald be to build 
the fire and put on a big pot of water in which the corn would be 
thrown and boiled awhile, then taken out and grated and made 
into good, wholesome bread. This, with what game we could get, 
was what we had to live on during the long winter. 

"Several families came to the county that fall, and, of course, had 
no corn. All things were then held more in common. Those 
that had none were welcome to help themselves trom their more 
fortunate neighbors, all that was required of them being that they 
should gather it themselves. Resin Kaylor, better known as 
" Boss " Naylor, was one of that class, and it was a little amusing 
to see him go out to ihe fields, walking- for a time on top of the 
snow, on which a crust was formed, but now and then going 
through, getting his corn, and come in blowing like a porpoise 
and sweating dreadfully. But we all managed to live, and had 
good cause to be thankful it was no worse. The young men and 
women of this day have little knowledge of what a pioneer life 
consisted. Away out upon an almost boundless prairie, far from 
home and kindred, with an opportunity of hearing from them only 
every few months, it was dreary indeed, but how difterent it is now ! 
However far the distance, they can be communicated with in a 
few moments time." 

During the previous summer Mr. John Rogers erected himself 
a log house on the prairie, in Industry township, but the winter 
coming on, he concluded it would be better for him to move to 
the timber, which he accordingly did, taking his cabin with him ; 
but the snow beginning to fall before he had finished rebuilding, 
he enclosed the cabin in a tent, and managed to live in it during 
the long winter that followed, his onl}- food being hominy, with- 
out salt. This so disgusted him that the next spring he left the 
county, never to return. 



26 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

We have little doubt that many a weary one during that long 
winter sighed for the comforts of the " old home ;" but, nothwith- 
standing its dreariness and the suffering of the people, none be- 
came disheartened save the one above mentioned, "We find them 
in the spring of 1831 as determined as ever to carve out for them- 
selves a home in this truly beautiful country. 

During this first year of the organization of the county but one 
couple was brave enough to try " the sweets of wedded bliss," for 
but one marriage license was granted — John Wyatt and Betsy 
Massingill. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 27 



CHAPTER II. 
1831. 

The snow lay upon the ground until about the lirst of April ; 
meantime the few inhabitants of the county lived as best they could, 
trusting the good time would yet come. 

In the spring of this year James M. Campbell, Esq., came to the 
county, and was cordially received. He had, in December pre- 
vious, received the appointment of Clerk of the Circuit Court from 
the Hon. Richard M. Young, Circuit Judge, and came to enter 
upon the duties of his office. Like most of the settlers living in 
the county at that time, Mr. Campbell was from the State of Ken- 
tucky. This tact was not discovered at first, and Mr. Campbell 
was regarded as a Yankee, and, consequently, looked uj)on with 
suspicion. John Baker resigned the office of (Herk of the County 
Commissioners' Court ; a new man was to be appointed, and who 
it should be was a question. Mr. Campbell was suggested. One 
of the Commissioners replied most emphaticall}' that no Yankee 
should ever be Clerk of that Court. Mr. Campbell was asked if 
he was really and truly a Yankee. " Well, gentlemen," replied 
Mr. C, " if to be born in the city of Frankfort, State of Kentucky, 
living there until six years of age, coming to the State of Illinois 
and remaining for six years, then returning to Kentucky and living 
there for twelve years, and again returning to Illinois, constitutes 
a Yankee, then I am one." It is unnecessary to add that the ex- 
planation was satisfactory, and the appointment made. Being of 
an energetic turn of mind, and something of an enthusiast, he at 
once took a leading part in the affairs of t^e county, and has ever 
since been in active life, having many times been honored by the 
citizens of the county with the highest offices within their gift. 



28 HISTORY OF M'dONOUGH OOt'NTY. 

Strict economy governed the Commissioners in all the affairs 
pertainino; to the weltare of the county. Every bill presented was 
carefully scrutinized, and value received was invariably required 
before payment. We may here remark that such has always been 
the action of every Board of County Commissioners, or Super- 
visors, since the organization of the county, which will ac- 
count for the good credit always enjoyed. Very few bills of 
doubtful propriety have ever been smuggled through. 

At the March term of the County Commissioners' Court James 
Clarke was allowed the sum of three dollars tor going to Spring- 
field and entering the land upon which the original town of Ma- 
comb was located. As remarked in a preceding chapter, the 
money was well earned, for while returning home he was over- 
taken by the big snow storm, and was several days in making the 
trip. We have heard him remark that often times while on the 
journey he thought he would be compelled to give up and lie 
down and die. The snow in many places had drifted so much 
that his horse could not get through, and he would be compelled 
to effect a passage by raking it away with his hands. 

In payment for the use of his house for court purposes John 
Baker was granted the fee simple right to two lots in the town of 
Macomb, which was then to be laid out. John J. Keaton was em- 
ployed to make the survey, for which he was allowed the sum of 
thirty-five dollars. David Clarke and fFohn Baker were employed 
to Carry the chain, for which they each received fifty cents a day. 
William McDonald received sixt3'-two and ahalf cents per day for 
driving the stakes, the work being more arduous than that of 
carrying the chain. It appears from bills allowed by the County 
Commissioners' Court the wages paid laboi'crs at this time were 
from fifty cents to one dollar per day. 

Many laughable anecdotes are related of this survey. Mr. 
Keaton was not a i-egular surveyor, and is said to have known 
less about surveying than those who carried the chain. He had 
great difficulty in making the corners — in fact never did make 
them, and they have never been straightened to this day. Another 
man being Avanted to assist in the work, several were approached 
for this purpose, but all had an excuse to make, one man replying 
that he would not give the pleasure of his day's drunk for the two best 
lots in the town. It should be remembered there were few teeto- 
talers in the county at that time. The first plat of the town not 



HISTORY OF m'dONOIUTH COUNTY. '29 

proving satisfactory, the citizens petitioned the County Commis- 
sioners to chang'e it, wliich was done, although one of the members 
of the board, Hon. James Vance, entered upon the records of the 
court his protest against the action. 

At a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, held April 
12, 1881, the question of building a Court House was discussed, 
and the following order made : 

Ordered, That the building of a house, to be used as a Court House, be let to the lowest 
bidder, of the following description, to-wit : To be built of logs, hewed on both sides, 
to face from nine to twelve inches ; to be built eighteen feet by twenty, "with a white oak 
plank floor above and below, laid loose ; nine feet between the joist and sleepers, the sleep- 
ers laid two feet apart, laid on the sills ; joists not more than two feet apart, of good white 
oak, hewed, or sawed four inches thick by nine inches wide ; to be chinked and daubed 
on the outside ; one door six and one-half feet high and three feet wide, well faced and 
cased : a good batten door, hung cui good iron hinges ; one window, to have twelve panes 
of glass, and one window of six panes of glass ; to be placed in said building by the in- 
struction of James M. Campbell ; each window to have a good strong batten shutter, hung 
with butt hinges, covered with boards four feet long, of good width, and what is called 
double covered, with good gutters and eaves. The said l)uilding when completed and 
finished to be done in workmanlike manner. The said building to be on a lot in the town 
of Macomb, (on a lot) to be in due time, that is within two weeks, made known to the 
undertaker. The undertaker will be required to give bonds, with sufficient security, for 
the faithful performance of his undertaking in the penal sum of double the amount of 
his bid, made payable to the County Commissioners, or their successors in office, for the 
use of the county, that the said house shall be finished on or before the first day of Sep- 
tember inst. 

It is further ordered, That the weight poles are to be of sufficient weight to be of ser- 
vice ; that the undertaker furnish everything necessary for the above building, except the 
glass for the windows. 

On the same da}' the above propositions were made the contract 
was let to William Southward for the sum of sixty-nine dollars 
and lifty cents. As will be observed, there is a considerable dif- 
ference between the first and last buildings erected for court pur- 
poses. 

At this same meeting John Baker applied for a license to keep 
a tavern, which request was ordered on his paying into the Coun- 
ty Treasury the sum of six dollars and fifty cents, together with the 
Clerk's tees for issuing the license. The board then adopted the 
following scale of prices to govern inn-keepers in the county : 

For each meal of victuals $0 2.'> 

For each night's lodgings 12^^ 

For each horse feed per night 25 

For each horse feed 12^^ 

For each half pint of whisky 12i^ 

For each half pint French l)randy 25 

For each half pint Holland gin or wine 25 

For each half pint peach brandy - 18% 



30 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

It will doubtless seem strange to our young readers to know 
that this John Baker, to whom a license was granted to keep a 
tavern, which was but another name for a grocery and whisky 
shop, was a Baptist preacher, but such was the fact. He figured 
for several years in the county as a minister of the gospel and a 
retailer of the ardent. He, a few days after obtaining his license, 
took as a partner Samuel Bogart, a Methodistpreacher, and, under 
the name of Bogart, Baker & Co., the firm engaged in the sale of 
dry goods, groceries, whisky, tobacco, etc. That no preacher is 
no\y allowed to drink, much less sell ardent spirits, is certainly 
proof sufhcient to show that the temperance cause is advancing. 

By an examination of the records of the Board of County Com- 
missioners, we find that four licenses were granted during this 
year (1831) to keep tavern in Macomb, from which it may be sup- 
posed that liquor was in demand. We can scarcely imagine who 
their customers were, and can only solve the problem by suppos- 
ing that they carried on business after the manner of the old man 
and his wife, who, owning a barrel of cider between them, and only 
a sixpence to spend, tapped the barrel at both ends, and sold to 
each other. 

On the twenty-sixth day of April the first public sale of lots was 
made in the town of Macomb, William Edmondston acting as 
auctioneer, he having previously been appointed by the board as 
commissioner for the sale of all lots. But few were sold, and the 
amount realized was quite small. 

On the sixth day of June John Baker resigned the position of 
Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court, and James M. Camp- 
bell was appointed in his stead " during good behavior." We 
conclude his behavior must have been good, for he held the posi- 
tion for many years. He was required to give bond in the sum of 
|1, 000 to "faithfully, fairly and impartially do and perform the 
duties of Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court to the best of 
his understanding and abilities." 

License was required at this time for the sale of all kinds of mer- 
chandise, and we find applications made by James M. Campbell, 
Henton & Robinson, and Bogart, Baker & Co. to keep a "dry 
goods and retail store," which were granted on the payment of 
the sum of five dollars per year, together with the Clerk's fees. 
These firms all transacted business in Macomb. 



HISTORY OK m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 31 

At this meeting of the board the various magistrate districts 
were made election precincts for the Congressional election, to be 
held the tirst Monday in August. For this election the clerks 
were each allowed one dollar and twelve and a half cents, and the 
judges one dollar per day. We suppose the clerk's duties were 
more laborious, hence the difference in price. 

By an act of Congress the sixteenth section of land in every 
township was set apart, and the proceeds otits sale used, for com- 
mon school purposes. Commissioners were appointed in each 
county to superintend its sale and take charge of the proceeds. 
In September of this year James Vance received the appointment 
as Commissioner of School Lands, and was instructed by the board 
to loan all money received therefor for not less than twelve per 
cent, per annum. Trustees for each township were also appointed 
for the school lands. 

The assessment of taxes then and now will bear no comparison, 
as we learn from the records that Resin Naylor was only allowed 
fifteen dollars for assessing the taxes of the whole county. 

The Court House was finished according to contract, and Cir- 
cuit Court convened therein for its second term on the twenty -first 
day of October. There were present the Hon. Kichard M.Young, 
Circuit Judge; Hon. Thomas Ford, State's Attorney; William 
Southward, Sheriff, and James M. Campbell, Clerk. At this ses- 
sion considerable business was transacted, the most important be- 
ing the trial of David Morgan for murder. This was a case from 
Schuyler county. After a patient hearing, the jury rendered its 
verdict, finding him guilty, as charged in the indictment. For 
some cause the verdict was set aside, the indictment quashed, and 
the prisoner discharged. 

An indictment was found by the grand jury against Thomas 
Morgan, a brother of David, for murder, after which he was ar- 
rested, and obtained a continuance of his case until the next term 
of court. There being no jail in the county, he was remanded by 
the Judge to the Schuyler county jail. At the next session of the 
court he obtained a farther continuance, and ere another term he 
broke jail, and was never afterward heard from. 

Quite a number settled in the county this year, among whom 
was J, W. Brattle, for many years surveyor for the county, and a 
man well and universally esteemed. Mr. Brattle has probably 
done more surveying in McDonough county than all others com- 
bined since the organization of the county. 



32 HISTORY OF m'dO.NOITGH COUNTY. 

John Huston resigned the office of County Treasurer on the 
seventeenth day of March, 1831. Resin ISTaylor was appointed to 
succeed him, and was placed under bonds to the amount of |800. 
Quite a diiierence between liis bond and that of the present Treas- 
urer of the county, who is lield in the sum of $530,000. Mr. ISTay- 
lor continued to liold the office a number of years, receiving his 
appointment each year from the Board of County Commissioners. 

Twelve couples were united in the holy bonds of matrimony this 
year. 

At the time Mr. Campbell came to the county there was no 
postoffice within its limits, citizens obtaining their mail from Rush- 
ville, the nearest office. He at once made arrangements with the 
Postmaster at that place to send him the mail belonging to citi- 
zens of this county, he becoming personally responsible for the 
payment of the postage, which at that time was scarcely ever pre- 
paid, the price being twenty-live cents per letter. It is said of 
Mr. Campbell that on receiving the letters he placed them in his 
hat in order that he might accommodate the people as he met 
them on the streets or elsewhere. A. petition was sent to the 
Postmaster General for the establishment of an office at Macomb, 
and for the appointment of Mr. Campbell as Postmaster, which 
was granted, and his commission was received December 1, 1831. 
He held the office for some tii'teen years, save for a period ot three 
months, in 1841, when George W. Damron was appointed in his 
stead. 



Ill :: '/• '''l;/;'Ww'/->"\;''MV>:K''",');'^T!^ 




HISTORY OF M DONOU(iH COUNTY. 



CHAPTER III. 
1832-34. 

During the years 1882 and 1833 but few matters of importance 
transpired in the county. The seasons came and went — a few 
families moved into the county, a few others moved out of it, be- 
coming dissatisfied with the hard life of the pioneer. And it was 
indeed hard. Very few of the immigrants were possessed of any 
considerable property; there was no market for what was raised ; 
money was held at a high rate of interest, and the securities ojffered 
were poor. Those who remained in the county were of two 
classes, those who were too poor to get awa}', and those who be- 
lieved there was " millions in it." 

Up to this time no place had been provided for the confinement 
of prisoners, there being but little necessity for any. The want 
now began to be felt ; accordingly^, at the March (1833) term of 
the Board of County Commissioners, the subject was fully can- 
vassed, and it was agreed that a jail should be built. The order 
was made in the following terms : 

Ordered, That the building of a jail for said county be let to the lowest bidder on the 
second Monday of April next, and that the Clerk advertise the same, to-wit : Twenty feet 
square, with three rooms at least nine feet between the floor and ceiling : the walls Jjuilt of 
hewed logs, twelve inches square, laid close, dovetailed together and pinned, each log at 
the comer, so as not to admit of anything passing through the inside of said rooms; to be 
lined with plank two inches thick, of white oak, spiked on across the logs, laid close ; 
with the floor of said sized timber of two thicknesses, crossing at right angles, with a ceil- 
ing ; and as a floor, of the same said plank, and spiked over, as on the walls, of the 
following description : The walls planked are to be spiked in diamond foi'm. four inches 
square on all the walls, ceilings and floors, with a clapboard roof nailed on, the boards to 
be three feet long, and of good width ; all of which to be done in workmanlike manner, 
&c.; with three doors covered with sheet iron, with a place left so as to open on hinges : a 
small grate in the center of the two inner doors, and to be so fixed as to be as strong 
when done as though they were solid ; with three grates, two large enough to admit a pane 
of glass ten by twelve, with a sash swinging on hinges on the inside of each room, and 
one window large enough to contain six panes of glass : in each window to l)e placed two 

11—3 



34 HISTORY OF M'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

grates of iron bars only four inches square from center to center of the bars ; and two 
outside doors to the criminal rooms, hanging on the outside, opening into the debtor's 
room, and that the bar to be of iron three inches breadth bar, and crossing through the 
center with bars one inch square ; the house to be placed on- a stone foundation, built at 
least six inches above the highest point of the ground, and to set into and under the sur- 
face at least two feet, two feet thick, and the space lilled with stone to the lower part of 
the floor ; and the whole to be completed in a workmanlike manner, &c. 

The contract was let to James Edmoiidsou, who, in due time, 
completed the work to the satisfaction of the Commissioners. The 
building yet stands, and has been used for over twenty years by 
the city of Macomb as a city prison, going by the name of the 
" old calaboose." 

This building has always been considered a pretty strong one, 
but We are informed "by one who knows " that, when first built, 
a man by the name of John Seward was incarcerated in it for as- 
sault on one Devonshire. Not liking his quarters, he kicked a log 
out, and was soon a free man. lie was evidently good on the 
kick. 

The following rather strange order was spread upon the records 
at this term of the court : 

Ordi'reil, That the Treasurer assess a tax at the rate of one-half per cent, on town lots, 
provided that Congress has repealed the law exempting public lands sold from taxes for 
five years, and that he govern himself according to law; und on xluves, ref/istered O)' in- 
denturcd negro or mulatto servuntu; on pleasure carriages, on distilleries, on all horses, 
mares, mules, asses and neat cattle above the age of three years, and also on all horses, 
mules, asses and neat cattle under three years of age ; on watches and clocks, and their 
appendages, on wagons and carts, on hogs and sheep. 

But one slave was known to have been held in the country, and 
it seemed to bo the determination that none should, be allowed 
unless duly taxed. 

The Court House erected in 1831 becoming too small, it was de- 
tormined to erect one of brick, " two stories high, and not more 
than forty-six feet square." An advertisement w^as inserted in 
the Jacksonville Patriot in March or April, 1833, for plans and 
specifications for such a building, and in answer phms were fur- 
nished at the May term of the Board, and one adopted, as follows : 

Ordered, That the following be the plans of a Court House in and for the county of 
McDonough, viz : The foundation walls of stone, forty-six feet four inches square, and 
two feet thick and three feet high ; one foot above the surface of the earth ; which founda- 
tion shall be made of stone, range work above the ground, and to show a smooth face Oj. 
front, nicely hewed, and laid in lime and sand mortar ; also two division stone walls (of 
the same as above) twelve by twenty feet in the west end, that being the northwest and 
Bouthwest corners of said building, which walls are to be eighteen inches thick, three feet 
high, one foot above the surface of the earth ; there will be a wall extending from the cor- 
ners of each of the jury or small rooms to the east end of the building, at parallel lines 



HISTORY OF m'donough county. 35 

Tfith the outside foundation wall, same depth in the ground, and only to come to the sur- 
face of the earth, eighteen inches thick, laid iil lime and sand mortar ; walls made of first 
rate brick and other suitable materials, forty feet square, lower story eighteen inches thick 
and fourteen feet high, upj^er story to be thirteen inch walls and twelve feet high ; the 
small rooms, inside walls, to be thirteen inch walls ; on the outside an oval and round 
cornice of brick ; one circular toj) door frame four feet by eight and a half feet 
in the clear, with pannel work, and glass on each side and above, placed in the north, 
south and west centers of the walls of the house ; a window placed six feet above the 
Judge's seat, and thirty-six window frames, sixteen of which in the lower story and 
twenty in the upper, each to contain twelve panes of glass twelve by eighteen inches, at 
*qual distances, to be proportionate, and to have above each a double arch (thirteen inches) 
finished off smooth. The frame of the cupola to be run up through the center of the 
house-top ; in the comers of the house, on the lower floor, will be a fire place of conven- 
ient size, and above, in the jury rooms, in the northwest and southwest corners, a small 
fire place, and in the northeast corner, above the gallery, will be left a space and flue for 
a stove pipe : chimneys to be run out five feet above each corner of said building ; the 
short joist will be three by ten inches ; the long joist four by ten inches ; making a round 
foundation for a circular cupola ten feet in diameter, three feet aljove the roof, and closed 
in so as to make a roof to keep out the rain ; a square roof, with an eave all around, sheet- 
ing jointed, and laid close, and with good and suflicient and suitable jointed shingles 
eighteen inches long, and to show six inches ; all of which work shall be done in work- 
like manner ; and the timber of said building shall be of the most suitable kind ; the 
sills of the windows and doors are to be of black walnut, three inches thick, and of sufli- 
cient width : the walls to be jointed and penciled ; which shall be advertised by the Clerk 
in the Jacksonville paper (Patriot) three insertions ; to be let to the lowest bidder on the 
first Mondaj' of June next ; which building is to be completed according to the contract 
on or before the first day of November, 1834. 

An advance of one-fourth of the bid will be made to the undertaker so soon as com- 
menced, in order to carry on the building, one-fourth to be paid when the contract is half 
done, one-fom'th when the contract is completed and received, and one-fourth at the ex- 
piration of nine months from the time the contract and work is received h\ the County 
Commissioners' Court. Bond, with api)roved security or securities, will be required to be 
given in a penalty of double the amount of the undertaker's bid, which penalty will be 
required as a forfeiture in case the contract is not comphed with in every resjiect. 

James Clarke, Moses Ilenton and Benjamin T. JS'aylor were ap- 
pointed by the court as a committee to superintend the erection of 
the building. George Miller and ^lohn T. Bishop were awarded 
the contract for the stone and brick work for the sum of two thou- 
sand four hundred and ninety-eight dollars. Thej" immediately 
entered upon the work, and in due time completed their under- 
taking to the satisfaction of the court. 

In the month of September, 1835, a further contract was made 
by the county with Morris Roberts and David F. Martin to com- 
plete the inclosure of the building for the sum of one thousand 
three hundred and thirty-four dollars. This part of the work was 
finished and accepted in the spring of 1836. A further contract 
was made with Benjamin T. Naylor and Robert A. Brazleton for 



36 HISTORY OF M'DONOU<iH ( OUNTV. 

the completion of the wood work, painting, etc., for one thousand 
dollars. Their part of the work gave satisfaction, w^as accepted 
by the court, and McDonough county had a Court House in which 
her citizens felt a just pride. It was built at a total cost of tour 
thousand eight hundred and thirty-two dollars. 

By permission of the contractors. Circuit Court was held in the 
building in the fall of 1836, and all otlier courts immediately 
thereafter. It was used for all county purposes thenceforward 
until the year 1869, a period of thirty-three years, save during 
the years between 1860 and 1866. In the former year, while lion. 
C. L. Higbeewas making apolitical speech in the courtroom, the 
walls of the building began to crack, aud there was a general 
stampede of the crowd. In a moment's time the Judge had 
naught but empty benches to address. Campbell's Hall was then 
secured for court purposes, and was so used until the spring of 
1866, wdien the walls of the Court House were patched up, and the 
building again used. It was never regarded safe, however, and 
the crowds assembled there were always in fear the walls would 
give way and destruction w^ould be their doom. In consequence 
of this state of affairs the Sheriff and his bailiffs could never keep 
order, and the patience of the Judge was sorely tried. On the 
least noise being heard, the timid would precipitately retire from 
the room. The Judge could stand it no longer, so, in 1868, he 
publicly declared that McDonough county must have a new and 
better Court House. The Board of Supervisors immediately 
acted upon the suggestion of the court, and, as a result, we have 
the present magnificent building. 

The expenses of the county up to this time were very small in- 
deed, nearly all being incidental to its organization. The county 
-was organized July 3, 1830, and for the six months remaining in 
that year, paid out |78 25 ; for the year 1831, the sum of $436 42|; 
and in 1832 was paid $510 01|. From this it appears that our 
public officers were as economical as are those of the present day. 
A little seeming extravagance may be manifest (at least it would 
80 seem to the present generation) in this account allowed James 
M. Campbell for clothing, opium and tobacco furnished certain 
paupers. The two latter articles are now hardly considered among 
the necessaries of life, however they may have been regarded then. 
Other equally strange matters are upon record, as for instance, in 
1831, the rate for tavern license was $6 50 per year, and for mer- 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 37 

€aiitile license $5. In 1833 tavern license was reduced to $8, and 
mercantile raised to $15, which was again, in 1835, raised to $25, 
while tavern license remained about tte same. Would not saloon 
keepers of the present day be happy if they could obtain license 
for the small sum of $3 per year, and by ic enjoy the protection of 
the law? 

At the April term (1834) of the County Commissioners' Court, 
William "Willis was appointed County Treasurer, his bond being 
fixed at $2,500. lie only retained the office one month, when 
Resin Xaylor was again reappointed. 

In June, 1832, a battalion of men was raised in this and Warren 
counties, under call of the Governor, for service in the Black 
Hawk war. The organization was effected at Macomb, the War- 
ren county men coming to this place for that purpose. Samuel 
Bogart, of McDonough, was chosen Major; Peter Butler, of War- 
ren, Captain ; McAllen, of Warren, i^'irst Lieutenant ; John 

Wilson, of McDonough, Second Lieatenant. They marched to 
the town of Oquawka, and they were there stationed for the pur- 
pose of guarding the frontier. They were out eighty-six days, 
but performed no special service. They drew their rations regu- 
larly, ate heartily, plaj'ed euchre, and visited the friendly Indian 
cani[)S on the opposite side of the river. At the expiration of their 
term, they all returned to Macomb, and received their discharge. 

The following were among the number serving in this war : 
Major Samuel Bogart, Lieutenant John Wilson, David Clarke, 
James M. Campbell, Abraham Dover, J. L. Russell, Larkin Osborne, 
Jefferson Pennington, Mr. Shannon, William Tetherow, Asa Cook, 
Mr. Langley, Solomon Osborne, Orsamus Farrington, David 
Tetherow, Iraby Job, Andrew Calhoun, Berry Jones, Uriah Cook, 
Daniel Campbell, Shadrack Goens, John McFadden, George Teth- 
erow, William Southward, Lacy Jones, Samuel P. Lewis, James 
Tetherow, Lewis F. Temple, James C. Head, Isaac Morris, Nicholas 
Oampbell. 

This battalion was mounted, each man furnishing his own 
horse, and, as remarked, Avere out eighty-six days, and received 
therefor the remunerative sum of eighty-six cents per day for self 
and horse. Afterward the general government was kind enough 
to give to each participant a bounty of eighty acres of land. 

A number of instances are related of the sudden change in the 
temperature of the weather from comparative warmth to extreme 



38 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

cold. On the sixteenth day of March, 1832, David Clarke and 
"William Carter were returning from Frederick to Macomb, each 
with a wagon load of" goods. On the morning of this day the}' 
left the residence of a man living near Doddsville, and proceeded 
about one mile when it became so cold they could go no further. 
Unhitching their oxen from the wagons, they broke for the near- 
est house, barely reaching it alive. On this same day two men 
left Blandinsville for Fort Madison, the weather at starting being- 
comparatively pleasant. They had gone but a sliort distance 
when they discovered they were freezing. One of the party hur- 
ried oft for help, which was obtained, and, on going back, the 
other party was found but a short distance from where he was left 
frozen to death. Again on the morning of the same day, a man left 
Macomb for his home near Blandinsville, or Job's settlement, and 
had reached the prairie on the north when the change in the 
weather occurred. Unhitching his oxen, he started them toward 
the timber, at the same time catching hold and holding on to their 
tails. The oxen brought up at a house not very far distant, and 
the man endeavored to loosen his hands, but was unable to do so. 
and the inmates of the cabin were compelled to pull him loose, the 
entire skin of his hands comino; oft" in doino- so. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 39 



CHAPTEK lA^ 



THE LOST CHILD. 



The incidents related in the following story will readily l)e re- 
called to mind by every old settler of the county. This story 
was first published in the Macomb Journal, January, 1874, 
and was written by Miss Imogene Updegraff, daughter of Joseph 
P. Updegraft", of Macomb, the facts being furnished by the latter. 
The article was read with the greatest interest, and a demand made 
that we give it permanent form in this history : 

One Sunday afternoon, in August, 1834, two of the older sons of 
Ephraini Palmer, living near the line separating Walnut Grove 
from Macomb township, with several of the younger children, 
went out to obtain some melons, growing a short distance from the 
house. After obtaining all they desired, they returned, and as 
they neared the house, the mother came out to meet them, and 
anxiously inquired : 

" Jonatiian, where is Willie? Didn't he go with you ?" 

" Couldn't say, mother ; there's always so many of the small fry 
at my heels that I don't stop to count them," 

"Jonathan, my son, you shouldn't speak so. What if Willie 
should be lost ?" 

"No danger, mother; he'll turn up soon enough." 

But the heart of the mother was not to be comforted in such a 
way. She was in constant dread of someof her little ones wander- 
ing away and being lost, and possibly being devoured by wolves, 
which infested the country at the time. 

After looking around for some time, Mrs. Palmer again ex- 
pressed her anxiety by saying : 

" Jonathan, I am sure Willie did go to the patch with you. I 
have looked everywhere, and cannot find him." 

The father, just aroused from a nap, said : 



40 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

" Come, boys, let's return to the patch. I have do fears the lit- 
tle one is lost, but it will relieve the anxiety of your mother." 

Back to the patch they went, but no traces of the child could 
be found, and they returned to the house, trusting to find him 
there. But not so. The family were now fully aroused and feared 
the worst. They searched in the corn, on the prairie near the 
field, and through the timber, but still no trace of the lost one. 

jS'ight «oming on, the mothers anxiety knew no bounds, and 
as the hours passed, she would cry out again and again : 

"O my child! My precious Willie! Where is he? Have the 
wolves torn him to pieces? Has my little boy been drowned? 
Go look for him again ! My God, I shall go wild !" 

Palmer and his sons continued looking for the child until 
morning, but becoming convinced it was useless to pursue the 
search alone, the boys started with all speed to the nearest settle- 
ment for help. Levi Hamilton was the nearest neighbor, and he 
lived three miles away. Quite a number volunteered in the search 
from Macomb, among whom were Col. William Bailey, J. M. 
Campbell, James Clarke, David Clarke, J. L. Russell, J. W. 
Westfall, Thompson Chandler, Charles Chandler, J. L. Anderson, 
J. P. Updegraff, and it may be others. Some went from Job's 
settlement, Carter's settlement, and other points. Col. William 
Bailey was selected as leader, and search was begun in a very 
thorough and systematic manner. A critical survey of the field 
was made ; not a corn row or fence corner escaped unnoticed. Kot 
even a track was found to keep alive the fast fading hope that had 
been so bright a little while before. The prairie south of the field 
was next traversed, and then the timber, and at night the party 
returned with no tidings of the lost child. 

Tuesday morning dawned bright and beautiful. Ere this the 
tidings of a "lost child" had reached the most distant settlements, 
and many came to assist in the search, even from Schuyler and 
Fulton counties. The sad tidings were carried from cabin to 
cabin, until the whole community was aroused. 

On the second day, there being a greater number of men, longer 
lines were formed, and they were thus enabled to traverse a larger 
scope of country than on the day previous. 

The interest taken in the search was unparalleled. The dis- 
appearance of the child was so mysterious, and apparently beyond 
solution, that great interest was awakened. On this day the prai- 



HISTORY OF m'jjONOUGII COUNTY. 41 

rie was scoured as far south as Wolf Grove, and also a large body 
of timber following the course of Crooked Creek. 

As the day wore on, many became discouraged and gave up the 
search, and when darkness surrounded them the entire party was 
nearly hopeless. Again they were compelled to re[)ort no tidings 
of the loved and lost. 

Only one section of the country now remained to be searched, 
and those who still cherished a taint hope determined to come 
again on the morrow and spend one more day in quest ot the 
child. 

Another long night of suspense, and then — who could tell wliat 
the day would bring forth? 

AVednesday morning found the disappearance of the child still 
an unsolved mystery. Three nights of ceaseless restlessness, and 
days of suspense and hopeless agony, lett the mother in a danger- 
ous condition. Completely exhausted, both in mind and body, 
she lay unconscious of everything, save the loss of her child. 
Hours of weeping and prayer had prostrated the over-taxed nerv- 
ous system, and the only sign of consciousness was her frequent 
moanings. The other meml)ers of the family were worn out. 
Their aching limbs refused to longer carry their tired bodies, and 
they were denied even the poor relief of action. 

All day Wednesday the search was renewed. Xight came ou, 
and yet the mystery of the little one seemed no nearer a solution 
than when the day's work began. The faithful friends now de- 
spaired of finding the child alive. A few men agreed to come the 
next day and help those who were still sanguine of success to ex- 
plore the country farther down the creek. 

Thursday, the fourth and last day of the search, was a beautiful 
one indeed. With the morning came the friends who were to 
make one last desperate effort to obtain some clue to the child's 
fate. 

Palmer and his sous had taken some rest, and early in the morn- 
ing were on their feet ready to resume the search. 

The company organized in two parties, one going south to 
strike Crooked Creek at Wolf Grove and work up stream, tlie 
other commenced among the head waters, where darkness had 
compelled them to stop the night before. 

Before night they hoped to search the entire length ot the 
stream, searching all the branches and countrv on either side, un- 



42 HISTORY OF M'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

less it be rendered unnecessary by Unding some traces of the lost 
one. In this way they worked all forenoon without finding any- 
thing to reward their labor, and some were ready to give up; but 
when word was brought to them that the mother's life seemed to 
depend entirely on the return of her child, they were touched with 
her utter helplessness, and feared to abandon the search lest de- 
spair should snap the frail link that held her soul to earth. So 
they w^orked on, some still eager to be the lucky one to discover 
the boy. 

About the middle of the afternoon, when the two parties had 
advanced to wathin a mile of each other, Crosby Bowman, one of 
the men, working down stream, espied something in the mud that 
looked like the print of a little bare foot; but it was so nearly ob- 
literated by the washing of the water that he could not be at all 
certain. He looked farther up the bank in hope of finding tracks 
that the water had not reached, but not the slightest impression 
was to be seen. 

Passing the word along the line — ''look closelv alonic the 
banks, a track has been seen" — they advanced in the direction in- 
dicated by the foot mark. Some yards from the first impression 
another was seen, and presently another, until the men were half 
wild with joy and excitement. They followed the trail backward 
until convinced that there could be no mistake ; then turned back 
to where it led directly into the stream. The water was waded 
out to the middle of the creek and measured. The depth turned 
their joy to sadness, for it would reach the boy's chin ; and now 
they felt sure that he had been drowned in attempting to cross. A 
runner was sent to the other party, and all began the sad task 
of dragging the creek for the body of the brave bo3\ 

The poor father and sons could work no longer. Xow that 
hope was dead, tlicir strength forsook them and tliey could only 
wait for their friends to recover the body. 

"Hold !" cried one. As they worked near the opposite bank 
other foot-prints were seen. Could it be that the child crossed the 
deep water in safety? Yes, it was a trail. Filled with joy and 
surprise, they left the water and turned to the land. Father and 
brothers were strong once more and led the way. The trail fol- 
lowed the creek for some distance, then struck out into the bushes. 
^tsTorth of the creek, some two or three miles from Walnut Grove, 
was a blackberry region, and the trad led through the thickest 
places. It was wonderful to think a little child could make his 



HISTORY OF m'dOMOUGII COUNTY. 45 

way through the dense thickets without being sadly torn hy the 
briers. The path of the little bare feet was very crooked, going- 
this way and that, in and out, back and forth, after every ripe 
berry the hungry little tellow^ had espied. The berries were all 
gone along the trail, and it was very evident the venturesome 
rogue had been having a blackberry excursion on his own hook. 
But as they left the bushes the trail grew indistinct and then 
stopped. They pressed forward with all possible speed, at the same 
time proceeding cautiously for fear ot frightening the child. 
Some who had been through all the four days were still eager to 
be first in catching a glimpse of the boy. They worked on until 
about a half mile from the creek, when Henry Russell, one of the 
party, peering through the bushes, spied something in the dis- 
tance dodging about from bush to bush. He looked again and. 
this time got a full view of the long-sought-for child, standing up 
by a bush eating berries. Word went along the line: 

'' Silence, the boy has been seen." 

They crept np noiselessly, but when quite near, the boy saw 
them and started to run. 

George Miller advanced toward the child and held out a biscuit. 
He evidently regarded them, at first sight as something frightful, 
and showed signs of having forgotten his past life, and of having- 
become a child of the woods. Miller advanced slowly, saying: 

"Willie, don't you want a biscuit? Don't Willie want to go 
home and see mamma ?" 

The child eyed him curiously as it trying to tell what he meant,, 
but seeing the biscuit, came slowly forward, as if afraid, and when 
near enough snatched the bread, ran back a little way, stopped 
and ate it as if half starved. They let him finish the biscuit, then 
coaxed him nearer, and finally one of tliem lifted him up to Mil- 
ler, who had mounted his horse. The little fellow did not like 
that, how^ever. As he had got to be quite a pedestrian he seemed 
to prefer walking. He kicked and screamed, and seemed for the 
first time to remember that he could talk a little. They had 
hard w^ork to pacify him, but finally he gave up, and they started 
homeward. 

The father and boys were not in the line when the boy was 
found, but had gone back to the creek to follow up the trail once 
more. 



44 HISTORY OF M'DON()U(iH COUNTY. 

Word was sent to them, and ^vlleu tliey came up with the re- 
turning party, the chihl knew them, and they were so overjoyed 
that they laughed and cried by turns. 

As they returned home, they all conclud.ed that when the 
other chiklren left the watermelon patch, Willie had either lagged 
behind, or went back after another melon, and, missing his way, 
started out in the direction of the prairie instead of the cabin, 
wandered out across the prairie toward the northeast, crossed the 
creek, and tarried among the blackberries. 

They found where he had slept in an old stump, with sprouts 
grown up all around it, forming a kind of shelter. 

From the way the grass was tramped, they were led to believe 
that he had slept there several times and used, it for a place of re- 
treat. 

He did not seem to have worried about being away from home, 
but apparently had been having a general good time, eating berries 
and sleeping in an old tree. 

Several had gone on ahead to prepare the mother for the com- 
ing of her child. Among them was the liev. William J. Frazier, 
and to him fell the delicate task of breaking the news to the al- 
most lifeless woman. He entered the cabin and approached the 
bed on which the poor woman lay. He spoke to her, asking if 
she felt better. A moan was her only answer. 

"My good woman," said the minister, " you ought not to grieve 
in this way. Wouldn't you feel better to sit up a little?" 

" No, no," came feebly from her lips. 

"My dear friend," said he, "God is good — " 

At that she started up with glaring eyes, and cried : 

"What do you mean, man, by telling me that God is good, 
wdien he has taken my Willie away." 

"My good woman calm yourself; God is good to those — " 

"Hush," she cried, springing from the bed, " I don't believe it, 
or he would have answered my prayers and brought my darling 
back." 

" What if he should bring AVillie back, would your prayers be 
answered then 'f ' said the good man. 

She sank back on the bed sobbing. 

" Then thov have found him dead. Mv Willie dead ?" 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 45 

" Dear friend, Avhat if the good Lord sliould bring him l)ack 
alive ?" 

She started to her feet, seized hold of the minister, and said 
lioarsely : 

" Speak out, man. What do you mean ? Don't torture me 
longer. Tell me, tell me! have they found him?" 

•' Yes," said the minister, "they have tound him safe and well." 

She sank at the man's feet in a swoon. They soon restored her 
to consciousness, and the party came in with the child. She caught 
him in her arms, sobbing : 

" Oh, Willie, my darling boy ! Safe, safeatlast ! Don't Willie 
know mamma?" smiling through her tears. 

"Yes, I know mamma," lisped the child. And the poor woman 
exhausted herself with joy as she had done with grief. Father, 
In'others and friends stood around laughing and crying for joy. It 
was almost night, and the rescuers returned to their homes with a 
thousand thanks from the happy family, and what was still better 
— with the consciousness of having done their whole duty. 

The young men who then took part in the search, are now old 
or have passed from earth. Forty years rolls around and scarcely 
any of those so full of life and the love of adventure are left to tell 
the tale. Then they were full of hope and promise ; now only 
one here and there is left to tell us of pioneer life in times long 
gone l)y. 



46 HISTORY OF m'donougii couxty. 



CHArTER \. 

MURDER OF JOHN WILSON. 

Previous to Xovember, 1834, there was no event in the history 
of McDonough connty calculated to arouse any particular excite- 
ment among her citizens, save the incident of the lost child, an ac-- 
count of which we publish in a previous chapter. The settlers of 
that day pursued the even tenor of their way, endeavoring to make 
for themselves and families a home in this unbroken wildness. 
Their little troubles were settled by a fair light, and a friendly 
drink atterward, and no hard feelings were entertained. 

A year or two previous to the time of which we write, Elias Mc- 
Fadden, his son, David, and son-in-law, AV3die ]McFadden, with 
their families, came to this county and settled on the farm now 
owned and occupied by William Hunter, about one mile south of 
Macomb. If reports are correct, all were of an over-bearing and 
quarrelsome nature, and from the first trouble ensued between 
them and their neighbors. 

John Wilson, the murdered man, came to the county about the 
same time, and settled on what is known as the " Rutby" AVilson 
farm, adjoining McFadden's, now Hunter's place. Wilson was 
generally respected by all ; a good-natured, yet bold and fearless 
man. 

The McFaddens and Wilson had not long been neighbors be- 
fore there was trouble between them in reference to some timber 
land lying near. Threats were made by the former against the 
latter, and at the time of the murder, as it afterward was shown, 
Wylie McFaddcn was in Kushville consulting Judge Minshall as 
to whether they had the right to kill Wilson should he appear on 
their place. 

In the early part of the month of November, 1834, an execution 
was placed in the hands of Nelson Montgomerj^, Constable and 



HISTORY OF m'donough county. 47 

Deputy Sherift of the county, against Wylie McFadden, directing 
him to levy on the property of said AVylie McFadden to satisfy a 
judgment against him in favor of Henton & Robinson, merchants 
in Macomb. Mr. Montgomery took the execution and called upon 
Wilson to accompany him, and take his team, that he might haul 
away a certain amount of corn he proposed to seize to satisfy the 
claim. Apprehending no danger, Mr. Wilson agreed to accom- 
pany liim. Arriving at the place, they were met by Elias McFad- 
den, who engaged them in conversation, decoying them around to 
the north side of the house, and when in proper range, through 
the window, David McFadden committed the foul deed, shooting 
AVilson down, without a word of warning. Mr. Montgomery 
caught him as he fell, and dragged him within a woodshed and 
hurried oft'to town and gave the alarm. A crowd of excited peo- 
ple at once proceeded out to the scene of the murder, and found 
Elias McFadden coolly repairing a fence, while near by lay "Wilson 
in a supposed dying condition. McFadden was at once arrested, 
and search was made for the then unknown murderer. Search- 
ing the house, a rifle was found in the corner near the north win- 
dow unloaded ; a pane of glass was found broken out of the 
window; a book laying upon the sill, and the sash and book both 
powder-marked. The question now arose who committed the 
deed. Wylie McFadden was supposed to be away, and David was 
not known to be near. Searching, footsteps were found leading 
from the house in the direction of the residence of David McFad- 
<len, who lived just across the hollow on the west side. Follow- 
ing the tracks, they were led to the door of David McFadden's 
house; and going in they found him at work on a shoemaker's 
bench, as entirely unconcerned as his father, and acting as inno- 
cently as though no cold-blooded murder had taken place. He 
was at once arrested, and, in company with his father, brought to 
town and placed under guard, to await the result of the wound in- 
flicted upon Mr. Wilson. Wylie McFadden, coming home the 
same evening, was likewise arrested. 

Mr. Wilson lived some days. On his death a preliminary ex- 
amination was had before James Clarke, Esq., Justice of the 
Peace, the evidence being as already narrated, and the three men, 
Elias, David and A\^ylie McFadden were committed to the county 
Jail, without bail, to await the meeting of the Circuit Court. 

On the fifteenth day of i^ovember, 1834, the grand jury found a 
true bill of indictment against the three, and a few da3's afterward 



48 HISTORY OF >i'donou(;h county. 

they were brought before the court; a change of venue was asked 
and granted, and two of the party, Elias and David, were taken 
the following spring (1835) to Hushville, Schuyler county, for triah 
Wylie McFadden was discharged by the Judge, there being no 
evidence against him. 

George Wison, Alfred Evans, Xelson Montgomery, Joseph Up- 
degrafi", J. "W. Brattle, Moses Ilenton, "William J. Frazier, "William 
Bowen, Daniel Bowen, Perry Keys, and James Anderson were 
each placed under l)onds of |300 to appear as witnesses in the 
case. 

In May, 1835, the case was called in the Circuit Court at Rush- 
ville, and Elias and David McFadden, father and son, were placed 
upon trial for their lives. Judge Yonng presided, and Cyrus 
"Walker appeared for the people as Prosecuting Attorn e}', while 
Judge Minshall assumed the hopeless task of defending the mur- 
derers. 

The trial lasted for several days, Mr. Walker, well known as the 
best criminal lawyer in the West, exerted all his powers to weave 
around the murderers a chain of nnimpeachable testimony. Judge 
Minshall defended in a most admirable manner, doing all for his 
clients that it was possible for man to do, but without avail. In 
his speech, he charged the Judge, the attorney for the people, and 
the jury also, of not prosecuting, but persecuting his clients. 

As was expected, the jury brought in a verdict of murder in the 
first degree, and upon Judge Young devolved the duty of pro- 
nouncing the sentence of death. This was done, and in due time, 
upon a scaffold, erected in a hollow near the city of llushville, 
Elias and David McFadden paid the penaltj^ for the crime com- 
mitted. Thomas Hayden, as Sheriff of the county, erected the 
scaffold, and his son, acting as Deputy Sheriff, pulled the drop that 
launched the souls of the guilty men into eternity. His bill of 
$1 50 for hanging the guilty wretches is now on file in the County 
Clerk's office at Macomb. 

Such, in brief, is the record of the second murder that ever oc- 
curred in McDonough county. For the facts in the case we are 
indebted to James Clarke, David Clarke, John O. C. Wilson, J. 
M. Campbell, and others. We believe the story is as exact as it is 
possible to get it at this late day, and only in minor details can 
exceptions be taken. 



HISTORY OK m'dONOUCII COUNTY. 49 



CHAPTER VI. 

PERSONAL INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES. 

The first settlers of this county were principally from Kentucky 
and Tennessee, and brought with them the peculiarities, as well 
as the prejudices of the people of those States. All were kind- 
hearted and given to hospitality ; no poor wayfarer was turned 
hungry from their doors ; even the despised book agent, or light- 
ning-rod peddler would have met with a cordial welcome, though 
luckily they were never bored with these specimens ot the genus 
homo. But there was one peculiar trait about these early settlers 
of the county — they had a strong prejudice against the Yankees, 
and hated them with a "righteous hatred". All persons born in 
the Eastern and IS^ew England States were Yankees in their estima- 
tion. Capt, Charles R. Hume, of Blandinsville, a York state man 
by birth, relates the following personal experience in illustration 
of this early prejudice: 

" I came to this State and county in 1837; purchased east half of 
section 19, 5 north, 4 west, and then went, to pass time, to visit my 
parents, then living in LaGrange county, Indiana. 

" In the meantime I learned that on my land, so purchased, there 
were two families living, then called 'squatters.' As soon as I 
ascertained this fact I returned and called on these persons and 
informed them that I, a stranger, had bought the land on which 
they were settled, but with no knowledge that there was any set- 
tler on said land. I at once informed them that. I had bought 
said half section for $1000, cash, and it they would refund to me 
the money I had paid, all would be right ; that I did not buy with 
the knowledge that the land was occupied. Occupants at once 
informed me that they had no thousand dollars to pay for the 
land, nor did they ever expect to have so much money. I then 
II— 4 



50 . HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

informed them that if they wished to give me possession of the 
land, that they might pick two men, and I, a stranger, wouhl pick 
one, the three to lix the amount I should pay for the improve- 
ments that had been made. To this they at once agreed. The 
men went out and fixed the amount I was to pay. I paid in 
cash on the day agreed, and so we separated. The}' went ; I re- 
mained. 

"A few days after said leaving, being an old 'bach,' and while 
preparing my morning meal, a man on a mule rode up and shouted : 

" 'Who keeps house?' 

"Being entirely unacquainted with this manner of salutation, I 
went to the door and inquired of the stranger what he wanted, 
lie says, 

" 'Come down here and I will tell you what 1 want.' 

"I walked down to see my newly-made friend. He inquired, 

" 'Is your name Hume ?' 

"'Yes, sir; I never had occasion to deny my name.' 

" 'Do you know that you are in a dangerous place?' 

" 'Will you be so good as to tell me as to my danger? Are there 
any wild beasts or venomous serpents that I should dread? I can 
hardly suppose my neighbors are worse than wild beasts or ven- 
omous serpents.' 

"I then said to my visitor, 

" 'Come clown oflt'your mule and we will talk this over." 

"He replied, 

'"I shall not get down. I have told you all I was sent to tell.' 

"I then informed him that no friend of mine could come and go 
without partaking of my good cheer. 

" 'Dismount,' I said. 

'"I will not,' he replied. 

"I then drew several shooters, and told my friend to come and 
see my arrangements, for if he did not so come I would shoot him 
dead if my lire-arms proved true. He went in with me, and in- 
stead of cooking for one I cooked for two, and we ate as brothers. 

"From that day to this I have suffered no reproach by being 
called a Yankee, and my best friends are those from the south." 

But there were some of the "favored ones" who did not have it 
in their hearts to condemn this unfortunate class, and were ever 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 51 

ready to extend a lu'lpini>; hand to them as well ae others, feeling it 
both a privilege and a duty to do a kind act for all such. It is 
related of Rev. William Mclvamy, familiarly known as "Uncle 
Billy McKamy," that at an early day a "Yankee" settled in his 
neighborhood, and, upon one occasion, being in need of some 
kind of an agricultural implement, borrowed it of 1 im. On re- 
turning it, he thanked Uncle Billy for the favor, and enquired of 
him how much he should pay for its use. "Pay !" says Uncle 
Billy,. "look here, my friend, you don't know me, do you? uSTow, 
sir, I want you to understand that whenever I have an^'thing that 
vou wish, all you have to do is to come after it ; and, when 
through with it, if it suits your convenience to return it do so; 
if not, I will come after it when I need it. I want you to under- 
stand farther, sir, that whenever you have anything I want, 1 
shall come and get it, and if it suits my convenience to return it, 
I shall do so; if not, you can come and get it." The point was 
very plain to Mr. Yankee. 

As illustration of a neighborly turn the old settlers were always 
ready to show, Ave will state that some years ago in the eastern 
part of the county, an unoccupied quarter of laud Avas entered at 
the same time, by Messrs Judd & Gowdy, a prominent firm of 
lawyers in Lewistown, 111., and a Mr. Grimm, of this county. 
The former gentlemen desired it for speculative purposes, while 
the latter gentleman desired it for a place of residence. The 
party first occupying the land, would, of course be entitled to it. 
Both parties hurried their preparations, but Judd & Gowdy were 
a little too fast for Mr. Grimm. The neighbors, (those living 
anywhere within ten miles) all sympathized with Mr. Grimm, 
and desired that he should occupy the land rather than any one 
-Tudd & Gowdy would send there. After Judd & Gowdy had 
erected their building and placed a man in possession, those 
sympathizing with Grimm met to consider the matter. Various 
suggestions were made as to how they should get rid of this 
obnoxious neighbor; finally, one suggested that if fifty or one 
hundred yoke of oxen should gather around that house some 
night, and that house should follow them off in the direction of 
the creek no one would be to blame ; there was no law against 
cattle running at large. Xothing more was said, Grimm was 
advised to build a house as close to the line as possible and await 
developments. This was done. A short time after, Judd & 
Gowdy's man went to Lewistown. That night a large number of 



52 HISTORY OF m'dONOUOH COUNTY. 

oxen strayed in the direction of the house, and the next morning 
it was no where to be seen ! Grimm's house was found over tlie 
Vine on the quarter in question ! 

On the return of the man employed by Judd & Gowdy, he 
discovered the situation in a moment, and returned post-haste ta 
Lewistown, and the would-be-owners came over, and with the aid 
of a search warrant found the house down on the creek! The aid 
of the grand jury was invoked at their next sitting, but no one 
conkl be found who knew l)ow it came tliere. Grimm got the 
land. We woukl not recommend tl^e practice of such neighborly 
turns being practiced at this time. Trouble might ensue — our 
officers being quite vigilant. 

About 1832 a young couple living in the neighborhood of In- 
dustry concluded to marry, which proceeding was opposed by the 
parents of both parties. But whoever knew such opposition to 
avail anything ? " Love laughs at locksmiths," and no impediment 
placed in the way of a loving couple is too great to be removed. 
This young couple had determined to marry, and marry they 
would ; so one morning, bright and early, they left their homes on 
foot for this purpose. Their destination was Nauvoo, then the 
county seat of Hancock. When a little way beyond Macomb^ 
they were overtaken by brothers of both parties, who urged them 
to return and be married at home, telling them their parents had 
consented thatthe ceremony might proceed. Having their "(lan- 
der up," in consequence of the opposition previousl}^ made, they 
refused to return. The brothers went back to report, and the fair 
couple proceeded on their way to Nauvoo. They arrived at the 
creek west of Macomb about dark, and could find no way to cross, 
the water being high, and no bridges built. They would not turn 
back to seek shelter for the night, but lying down beside of a large 
log, slept sweetly, dreaming, doubtless, of the joy in store forthem 
in the future. When the morning came they searched up and 
down the stream until they discovered a log thrown across, on 
which they passed over in safety. Arriving in Nauvoo, the young 
man called upon the County Clerk for the papers. Being a little 
nervous, as one is apt to be under such circumstances, he could 
not make his wishes known. The Clerk, witnessing his embar- 
rassment, kindly inquired as to his desires. Coloring up, he 
blurted out, '* Have you got any nails ?" " ISTails," said the Clerk, 
" why, no ; this is not a store, it is the office of the County Clerk." 
" We-1-1, then, wh-what do you ask for a pair of license?" The 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 53 

€um was named, the amount paid, the papers made out, and the 
Clerk, being also a Justice of the Peace, kindly ottered to " tie the 
knot." The blushing bride was brought in, the ceremon}' per- 
lormed, and the twain went on their way rejoicing. 

It sometimes happens that when the arrangement are duly made, 
with the consent of both parties, and, seemingly, the truth of the 
old proverb that " true love never runs smooth " is proven false, 
that circumstances will arise by which all arrangements will be 
frustrated. One evening in September, 1844, a large party assem- 
bled for the purpose of witnessing the marriage ceremony of Mr. 
Zachariah A. Gatton and Miss Elizabeth Alison, at the residence 
of the latter, a few miles southwest of Macomb. Great prepara- 
tions had been made for the event, and invitations sent out to 
friends throughout the country. Just before the hour arrived for 
the performance of the ceremon}' it was made known to the bride- 
groom that the bride was an Abolitionist. Seeking her out, he 
inquired if this was so. She responded by saying it was, when he 
urged her to renounce her principles, stating he could never wed 
an Abolitionist. " Yevy well," said she, " I will not renounce my 
principles for the best man living." After farther parley, it was 
agreed, and the announcement made that no wedding would oc- 
cur. The guests were invited to partake of the supper, after which 
the would-be bridegroom returned to his home minus a " better 
half." 

Some rich scenes have occurred in our Justices' Courts, among 
w^hich we relate the following: 

A gentleman having failed in business was thought to have 
disposed of his property in such a way as to defraud his creditors, 
some of it being placed in the hands of a Mr. P., who was arrested 
on a charge of concealing the goods. In the trial before the 
justice the case was ably argued pro and con, when the justice 
delivered his opinion as follows : "It is the opinion of the court 
that Mr. P. is not guilt u ; but, look here, Mr. P., let me admonish 
you never to do the like again." 

The same justice, who, by the way, was an Irishman, of course, 
was trying another case, in which a man was charged with steal- 
ing a log-chain. The taking of the chain was clearly proven, 
and not denied by the defense, who set up the plea that there was 
no felonious intent, it being customary in this country when one 
desired to use some article owned by a neighbor, to take it with- 
out asking. When the justice arose to give his opinion, he said : 



54 HISTORY OF M'DONOUtiil COUNTY. 

" It is the opinion of the court that Mr. A. is giiiltyy "What,"' 
said the counsel for the defense, jumping to his feet, " do you 
mean to say that my client is guilty of felonious intentions in 
taking the chain?" " O, no, no;" replied the justice, "it is the 
opinion of the court that Mr. A. is not guilty" And so it was 
recorded on the docket. 

Another justice, who, at that time, was in the habit of partak- 
ing a little too much of the "ardent," but who for nearly forty 
years has been a staunch teetotaler, was engaged in trying a case 
in a room used by himself as a saloon, when a half-drunken man 
who was sitting on an old-fashioned spinning wheel, fell over and 
broke it, wdiich called forth an oath. The justice exclaimed: 

" By , I line you live dollars for swearing in court." "Why, 

your honor swore, too," said the man. "Did 1? Well, I line 
myself live dollars, also." 

Some forty years ago there lived in this county a man who 
imagined himself bewitched by a woman living in this neighbor- 
hood. He was told that he could dispossess himself of the evil 
influence by making a drawing of the woman, placing it upon a 
tree and shooting it with a silver bullet. This he did. The 
woman died the same night, and the man was told he would be- 
haunted no more, as the woman was dead. " I kuow it," he 
replied, " I killed her." The same confession he made to many 
others, and at length it was proposed by some to arrest him for 
the crime. He acknowledged his guilt, and uo murderer should 
go unpunished. He was promptly arrested, tried, and convicted 
on his own testimony and acknowledged guilt. The justice ex- 
amining the case, immediately sentenced him to be hung, but 
in consideration of the fact that he was an unconverted man^ 
remanded him to the jail at Macomb for s[»i ritual consolation,, 
and to make due preparation lor eternity. 

It is neeflless to say the man was not hung. 

In the earl}^ settlement of this county, when newspapers, circus 
shows and minstrel troupes w^ere a thing unknown, the people had 
to devise other means of amusement wherewith to while away 
the weary hours. We And them occasionally indulging in a lit- 
tle "wee bit of row," "just for the fun of the thing," after which 
they would shake hands and take a drink 'round. But in prac- 
tical jokes they took especial delight. Hon. James Mr. Campbell 
was Irequently the subject of them. Being the peoples' servant^ 



HISTORY OF m'dONOI'GH COUNTY. 55 

they considered they had a better right to make him the butt of 
their jokes than an ordinary man, but none were exempt. 

On a certain occasion, Mr. Campbell had advertised, in the 
manner common at that time, for some men to split rails for him. 
J. P. Updegrafl", well known to all our readers, and Joseph Hemp- 
stead, a brother-in-law of Mr. Campbell, concluded they would 
have a little fun at his expense. Hempstead was a slim-built 
man, but UpdegrafF held his own then as now. Hempstead dis- 
guised himself by obtaining the largest pair of pants, vest and 
coat he could find, and encased himself in them, filling up with 
pillows, making himself very heavy, fleshy-looking. Mr. Upde- 
graflt" put on the roughest suit he could find, topping oft' with a 
blouchy hat that came down over his ears. Each taking an old 
maul, wedge and axe upon his shoulders, and giving the cue to a 
lot of their friends, who preceded them, they went over to the old 
court house, where Mr. Campbell held forth as circuit clerk, 
county clerk, &c. Passing into the office, they enquired for Mr. 
Campbell. Mr. Campbell who was engaged in writing at the 
time, replied, "I am the man." 

"We understand you desire some rails split," says Mr. UpdegrafF, 
who acted as spokesman. 

" I do." 

"What will you give?" 

" Sixty-two and a half cents per hundred." 

"Is it good, sound timber?" 

" Yes." 

" How do you pay?" 

"Cash." 

"Every Saturday night?" 

" Yes." 

'' You won't ask us to take trade?" 

"No." 

" AVell, then," said Mr. U., who, during the interview, had been 
standing with maul and axe across his shoulder, throwing them 
down on the floor, " if you want your rails split, bring on your 
timber." 

"By Jiminie, yoa get out of here," said Mr. Campbell, as the 
crowd began to roar, and he perceived the joke played upon him. 



56 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

A correspondent of Clarke's Monthly furnished the following 
"good one " on Mr. Campbell, for the March (1870) number of 
that paper : 

"When the Quincy House, Quincy, Illinois, was first built, it was 
considered a "big thing on ice," and the pride of the citizens 
of the " Gem city." Our honorable Senator, in company with 
Judge Henry L. Bryant, of Lewistown, visited the city about the 
time of the formal opening of the house, and, of course, registered 
there. They were assigned rooms in the third story of the 
building, and were there but a few hours when they were honored 
with calls from General John Tilson and other dignitaries of the 
city. 

At this time total abstinence did not prevail, and our friend, 
with his visitors, had wine, brandy, old bourbon, etc., brought up 
to the room, and a good time was enjoyed by all. After having 
imbibed a few times, General Tilson invited our Senator to go 
through the house with him. Showing him through from cellar 
to garret, the last place visited was the kitchen, in it was placed a 
new steam cooking apparatus. Eyeing the thing suspiciously for 
a moment or two, Mr. Senator remarked to General Tilson, 

"By , I should consider this a dangerous thing. Suppose 

the whole thing should bust up, what would become of us?" 

"0, there is no danger," replied the General, "they have an ex- 
perienced cook employed ; one who thoroughly understands the 
principles governing steam." 

Returning to their room, and having been absent about two 
hours, of course it was time to take another drink. As they were 
in the act of raising the glass to their lips, a man came through 
the hall beating a gong. Xever having heard the musical tones 
of this wonderful instrument, and still thinking of the danger 
arising from the steam cooking apparatus, our honorable friend 
dashed his glass down and yelled out, 

"By , I told you so ; the whole d d thing is busted up!" 

" Better Kill 3Iy Half Now"— One year David , of Macomb, 

had a large number of hogs, but no corn to fatten them, and as 
corn was very high and very scarce, he felt as did the man who 
drew the elephant — he did not know what to do with them. No 
one then was disposed to buy on account of the difficulty in ob- 
taining grain to fatten them. Phillip , living north of town 

some four or five miles, had a large quantity of grain and but few 



HISTORY OF M DONOUGH COUNTY. 0/ 

hogs, SO David male a proposition to him to take the hogs and 
fatten them on shares, each party to have half the number when 
killed. Phillip agreed to the proposition, but when he called for 
the liogs he desired to make a proviso to the original contract that 
if he found the hogs were eating too much of his corn he should 
have the privilege of killing and delivering David's halt of the 

number at any time. " By ," said David, " if that's your game 

you had better kill my half now, and save yourself the trouble of 
driving them out to your farm !" Suffice to say, the hogs were 
not taken with the proviso. 

Jadf/inentfor the Plaintiff. — A case for the recovery of a certain 
sum of money, said to be due from A to B, was brought before 

'Squire , and, on trial, no evidence was produced that A was 

indebted to B at all, yet the learned 'Squire gave judgment for the 
plaintiff. The attorney for the defense objected to the verdict, for 
the reason set forth above, that no evidence had been shown that 

anything was due. '• By ," said the 'Squire, " do 3'ou think 

a man such a fool as to bring suit when there was nothing 

owing him ?" 

"■ Pid a Little Sugar in It." — The boys one nightgotupon a little 
"lark," and conceived the idea of making everybody el«e in the 
town as drunk as themselves, and with that laudable (?) intention 
they started out. Many, of course, willingly partook of the prof- 
fered liquors, but one man refused on the ground that he had 
sworn off. But what cared they for that ? Drink he must. Time 
and again he refused, until their patience was lost, and closing in 
on him they threw him down, and as they were in the act of pour- 
ing the stuff down his throat, he cried out, " Boys, if you will 
make me drink, put a little sugar in it." 



58 HISTORY OF m'dONOUOH COUNTY. 



CHAPTER Yir. 

1834-38. 

From 1834 until 1838 we have nothing of a startling nature to 
narrate. The Board of County Commissioners held their meet- 
ings regularly each quarter, with now and then a called meeting, 
and a number of orders were made with reference to public im- 
provements. The times were comparatively easy ; new settlers 
supplying all the money needed to carry on the little trade re- 
quired by the actual wants of the people. The late and more 
fashionable customs of society had not yet penetrated these 
regions, and the bonnet and shawl worn by our mothers were 
not cast aside after the first season's wear, but continued to do 
service as long as they could be kept whole. Our fathers did not 
aspire to broadclotli suits nor beaver hats, but were content with 
home-made jeans and a felt or straw hat. 

When the County was organized there was but one public road 
running through it, and that was the old lead mine road leading 
from Beardstown to Galena, passing through the county about six 
miles east of Macomb, Galena, at this time, was one of the most 
important points in the State. As the County became settled 
new roads were laid out. More than four-fifths of the entire ex- 
penses of the county, we believe, during the lirst fifteen years of 
its existence, was for this purpose. Roads were not then run upon 
section lines, as now, but were located as was thought best for 
the convenience of the people. The broad prairies were supposed 
to be useless, and would never be settled ; therefore, a road run- 
ning across them at any angle would hurt no one, and would be a 
convenience for all. If one had intimated at that time that these 
prairies would sometime be dotted over with farm houses, barns, 
school houses and churches, he would have been thought a fit 
subject for the insane asylum. This, no doubt, seems strange to 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 59 

our younger people and late settlers in the county, but at that 
time the conclusion arrived at seemed reasonable. In the first 
place, the question of fuel had to be taken into consideration by 
the early settlers ; coal had not yet been discovered, and, of course 
wood had to be procured. In the second place, lumber for build- 
ing purposes was required ; railroads were unknown, and lumber 
could not easily be imported. For these reasons our fathers set- 
tled in the timber — or ou its borders, where the}'' could obtain 
material for the erection of their houses, fences for their lands, 
and fuel for tlieir fires. 

The nearest and most convenient route from settlement tO' 
settlement was sought for, and surveyors were so instructed to 
locate roads. To show the difference in distance between points 
then and now, we state that a finger board long standing just 
southeast of Macomb read, "To Vermont, 17 miles." It is now 
impossible to reach the place, via the established roads, in les& 
than twenty-four miles travel. It may De thought that a great 
saving could have been made to the County by locating the roada 
as they are now run, but whether this was made whole by the 
convenience and saving of time to the people then, is a question 
we are not prepared to discuss. 

In the year 1835, the County applied to the State for relief on 
account of the expense attending the keeping and trial of the 
McFadden's, who were hung for the murder of John Wilson. We 
have searched the statutes of the JState for the years 1835-6-7,. 
and find no act passed for that purpose, and suppose the request 
was not granted. 

On the eighth day of September, of this year, Hon. James Vance 
filed his bond before the County Commissioner's Court for the 
fourth year, as Commissioner of School Lands. He died after 
holding the office a little over three months, and was succeeded on 
the seventh day of December by Benjamin T. Naylor, who retained 
the position for several years. 

In reference to the expense attending the trial of the McFad- 
den's, we find on the books of the County Commissioner's Court 
an allowance made to Thomas Kayden, Sherifi' of Schuyler 
County, for the sum of §1 50 "for hanging McFaddens." If 
all the other expenses attending their trial and conviction had 
been as reasonable, we can see no reason why the State should 
irrant aid in the case. 



60 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

In the year 1836 occurs the tirst mention of the letting of 
paupers to those who would care for them for a consideration. 
This custom was retained until about the year 1857, when a farm was 
purchased by the County, and all paupers transferred to it when 
thought best by the proper officers. 

In this year (1886) Wesley Wayland came before the County 
Commissioner's Court and stated that he had given a certilicate 
of freedom to a certain negro woman wh'^^m he had brought with 
him from Kentucky a few years previous, for the purpose of 
acting as nurse ''to his invalid wife. We believe Mr. Wayland 
had been taxed on this species of property since 1832, and had 
reached the conclusion it didn't pay. Elsewhere we have given 
the order of the County Cpmmissioners instructing the assessment 
of all such property, which order, we have no doubt, was 
cheerfully ol)eyed. The same order was repeated in 1837, but 
whether any slave was held in the County at that time we can 
not learn. 

The effect of the hard times throughout the United States, be- 
ginning in 1837, was not felt in this county until the following 
y-ear. From that time until about the year 1845, our i:)eople ex- 
perienced greater financial embarrassment than at any time in the 
previous history of the county. Money was an almost unknown 
•commodity, all business being transacted through the means of 
trade or barter. A would trade 13 flour for its value in meal 5 
13 Avould trade C a yoke of oxen for a horse ; I) would trade E a 
half dozen hogs for a cow, &c. If money enough could be raised 
to pay the general taxes, a man considered himself fortunate. 
Many were the straits to which the people were led to make both 
•ends meet, and many laughable incidents are narrated of the 
crooks and turns that were made — incidents that are laughable to 
us now, but were serious matters at that time. ISTotes were given 
for value received, payable in a cow, or a horse, or other prop- 
erty, and when the note came due, and collection was to be made, 
it would sometimes be hard for one party or the other to make 
proof of it being that which was described in the note. Many 
notes were held, without attempting to make collection, in the 
hopes that better times would dawn upon the country, and their 
makers be able to pay the money. William Hamilton, Esq., of 
Bushnell, tells us that he gave a note payal)le in a black cow, 
valued at a certain sum, which note was not presented for pay- 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 61 

ment nntil seven or eight years after it was due, its holder trust- 
ing to receive the money — and he did receive the money. 

During these hard times the price of such articles as our peo- 
ple had to purchase rapidly advanced, while that of what they 
had to sell as rapidly declined. New Orleans sugar sold at 16f 
cents per pound ; coffee, 25 cents; calico, 50 cents per yard ; hogs 
brought from $1 to $1 25, per hundred pounds, and no market 
within forty miles of Macomb ; wheat 20 cents per bushel, etc. 
What would our farmers think should such prices rule now t 
There would be very few palatial residences and tine outbuildings 
erected upon their lands within the next ten years. 

As an illustration of those terrible times, Richard Pennington, 
Esq., tells us the following incident in which a man who now 
ranks as one of the most substantial farmers of New Salem town- 
ship proniinentlj' figures : 

"One morning while I was out looking for a yoke of oxen, 1 
met this gentleman whom I will call Mr. X. 'Have you seen 
anything of my oxen ?' I inquired. 'No, Kichard, I have not; but 
worse than that, have you seen anything of my cows?' I replied 
that I had not. 'Well, Kichard, I do not know what I am to do. 
When I left home my children were crying for something to eat, 
and it has come to this pass — no cows, no breakfast; no cows, no 
dinner ; cows, or no cows, no supper.' " 

" Talk about hard times," said Mr. P. to us, "when I hear any- 
body talking about hard times, I feel like narrating the above in- 
cident, and telling them if it is as. bad as that with them, they may 
well complain; otherwise not." We agree with him. 

Our nearest market at that time was forty miles away, being 
Beardstown on the south, and Warsaw on the west. Our mer- 
chants did but little business in the way of exportation, and what 
little traffic was had was between the producer here and the ship- 
per at one or the other of the above points. No " middle men" 
were employed. 

In a general way Ford, in his " History of Illinois," well de- 
scribes the existing state of things in this county at that time. On 
pages 96-99 we read as follows : 

" Commerce from 1818 to 1830 made but small progress. Steam- 
boats commenced running the Western waters in 1816, and by the 
year 1830 there was one or two small ones running on the Illinois 



62 HISTORY OF jVi'DONOUtiH lOUNTV. 

river as far up as Peoria, and sometimes further. The old keel- 
boat navigation had been disused, but as yet there was so little 
trade as not to call for many steamboats to supply their place. 
The merchants of the villages, few in number at first, were mere 
retailersj of dry goods and groceries; they purchased and shipped 
abroad none of the productions of the country, except a few skins, 
hides and furs, and a little tallow and beeswax. They were sus- 
tained in this kind of business by the influx of immigrants, whose 
money being paid out in the country for grain, stock and labor, 
furnished the means of trade. The merchant himself rarely at- 
tempted a barter business, and never paid cash for anything but 
his goods. There was no class of men who devoted themselves to 
the business of buying and selling, and of making the exchanges 
of the productions at home for those of other States and countries. 
The great majority, in fact nearly all the merchants, were mere 
blood-suckers, men who, with very little capital, with small stock 
of goods, and with ideas of business not broader than these rib- 
bons, nor deeper than these colors, sold for money down, or on 
credit for cash, which, when received, they send out of the coun- 
try. Since their time a race of traders and merchants has sprang 
up who use the money they receive in purchasing the wheat, corn, 
beef and pork of the farmers, and ship these articles to the East- 
ern cities. 

"Mather, Lamb & Co., late of Chester, in Randolph county, but 
now of Springfield, were the first to engage in this business, and 
they were led to to it by the refusal of the United States Bank, at 
St. Louis, to grant them the usual facilities of trade. As they could 
get no accommodation from the bank, they fell upon this course 
to avoid going to St. Louis to purchase Eastern exchange. 

"The money they received being again paid out, remained in the 
country and the products went forward in its place to pay for 
stocks of goods. The traders in this way made a profit on their 
goods which they brought into the State, and another profit on 
the produce which they sent out of it. 

"But, as yet, the merchant generally had neither the capital nor 
the talent for such a business, and it was not until a more recent 
period — upon the going down of the United States Bank, the 
consequent withdrawal of facilities for exchange in money, and 
the high rates of exchange which came in with local banks of 
doubtful credit — that they have been very extensively forced into 
it. When they no longer could get either money for remittances 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUOH COUNTY. 63 

to these eastern creditors, or bills of exchange, except at ruinous 
rates of premium, they at once saw the advantage of laying out 
the local currency received for their goods in purchasing the 
staples of the country and forwarding them in the place of cash. 
In very early times there were many things to discourage regular 
commerce. A want of capital ; a want of capacity for the busi- 
ness; the want ot a great surplus of productions, the continual 
demand for them created by emigrants, and facility of carrying 
on a small commerce with the money supplied by emigration 
alone, all stood in the way of regular trade. 

*'Xew Orleans, at that time, was our principal market out of 
the State. It was then but a small city, and shipped but a trifle 
of the staple articles of Illinois to foreign countries. Such ship- 
ments as were made to it were intended for the supply of the 
local market, and here the Illinoians had to compete with Ken- 
tucky, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee and Missouri. Any temporary- 
scarcity in this market was soon supplied, and the most of the 
time it was completely glutted. 

"For want of merchants or others who were to make a business 
of carrying our staples to market, our farmers undertook to be 
their own merchants and traders. This practice prevailed exten- 
sively in the western country. A farmer would produce or get 
together a quantity of corn, flour, bacon and such articles. lie 
would build a flat-bottomed boat on the shores of some river or 
large creek, load his wares in it, and, awaiting the rise of water, 
with a few of his negroes to assist him, would float down to New 
Orleans. The voyage was long, tedious and expensive. When 
he arrived there he found himself in a strange city, fllled with 
sharpers ready to take advantage of his necessities. Everybody 
combined against him to profit by his ignorance of business, want 
of friends or commercial connections, and nine times out of ten 
he returned a broken merchant. His journe}^ home was per- 
formed on foot, through three or four nations of Indians inhabit- 
ing the western parts of Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky, 
lie returned to a desolate farm, which had been neglected since 
he was gone. One crop was lost by absence, and another by tak- 
ing it to market. This kind of business was persevered in aston- 
ishingly for several years, to the great injury and utter ruin of a 
groat many people." 



64 HISTORY OF M'DONOUCill COUNTY. 

Ford makes some deductions in reference to the laws of trade, 
which we commend to all. We read on pages 99 — 101, the fol- 
lowing : 

"In later times, after the steamboats have taken the place of 
other specie of navigation, after regular dealers and business 
men had made their appearance on the theatre of trade, and after 
New Orleans had become a great city, and a great mart of for- 
eign commerce, there were still other difficulties to be encountered 
of a very formidable character. These were the disposition of 
the people not to sell their produce for the market price and to 
raise no surplus whatever unless the prices were high. If the 
trader oflered one price the farmer would ask a little more, and 
more than the trader could afford to give and make a reasonable 
profit. Let the price be what it might, many would hold on to 
their commodity a whole year, expecting a rise in the market, and if 
the price was low they would cease producing. If a farmer had a 
surplus of coi n, wheat, hogs or cattle in the fall season, and could 
not sell them for the full price demanded, he would keep them 
until next year, expecting to get more for them. In the mean- 
time, he would lose more by the natural loss and waste of his 
property, than he could possibly gain by increased prices next 
season, I have known whole stacks of wheat and w^hole fields 
of corn to rot, or to be drabbled out and wasted to no purpose; 
and whole droves of hogs to run wild in the woods so as never to 
be reclaimed, whilst the owner w^as saving them for a higher 
price. He suffered, also, by laying out of the present use of the 
money, and by being compelled to purchase many necessary arti- 
cles on a credit, at a higher price than they could be bought for 
cash. By holding back for a higher price, he suffered loss by the 
natural w^aste of his property, by laying out of the use of his 
money, by losing the many good bargains he could have made 
with it in the meantime, and by being compelled to purchase dear 
on credit, and pay a high interest on the debt if not paid when 
due. In all these ways he lost more than by borrowing money 
on compound interest, and yet he could never be pursuaded that 
it was for his advantage to sell as soon as his articles became 
marketable, and at the market price. 

"This practice of holding up property from the market unless 
the owner can receive more than the market price, still prevails 
extensively in the southern and some of the eastern parts of the 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 65 

State, and fully accounts for much of the difference in the degree 
of prosperity which is found there, and in the middle and north- 
ern part of the State. 

"The New England population make it a rule to sell all their 
marketable property as soon as it l)ecomes fit for market, and at 
the nuirket price. By this means the farmer avoids the loss and 
expense of keeping it on hand. He has the present use of its 
value in money, and makes many good bargains and speculations 
which could not be made without a little ready money. He 
avoids buying on credit, or rather paying interest on his debt 
after it becomes due. Money is more plenty, and the people are 
enabled to be more punctual in the payment of their debts. The 
local merchant is enabled to do an active business. He is always 
sure he can purchase to the extent of his capital, and at rates 
which will put it in his power to sell at a profit. In this manner 
the farmer prospers, the local merchant prospers, tiie miller and 
manufacturer prosper. Loans grow up rapidly. Employment is 
furnished for mechanics and laborers. 

"By such means our northern people are enabled to build up a 
country village in three or four years, as large as a county seat in 
the south of twenty years standing." 

The evil effects of holding on for higher prices we have 
personally noticed many times in our short life. We recall one 
instance during the time of our late war. When wheat was on 
the rise, a farmer living near Macomb, had on hand about three 
thousand bushels, for which he was offered $2 'Ab per bushel; he 
refused to sell, stating that he would hold until he could get $3 00 
per bushel. Wheat continued to rise in price until $3 00 was 
reached, Avhen our friend concluded to hold until he could 
obtain $3 50. Soon it began to decline. It fell to $2 75 ; to |2 50; 
to $2 25 ; to $2 00 ; and still this man would not sell, trusting that 
it would rally again. But it continued to decline, and he was 
finally obliged to sell at 81 00 per bushel. So much for not selling 
at the market price. 



H— 5 



Q6 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 



Carter s Settlement. — The first settlement made in McDonongh 
county was in the year 1826. Riggs Pennington, with his family, 
in that year settled on the northeast quarter of section 24, Industry 
township. To him belongs the honor of being the first to settle in 
the county. He was immediately followed by AVilliam Carter, 
who settled on section 26, adjoining, and in his honor the first 
settlement was called Carter's settlement, and by which name it 
was known for many years after. Xext came James Vance, in the 
same year. Mr. A^. settled on the southwest quarter of section 24. 
Stephen Osborne, Widow Tomberlin, Isaac Fowler and Rev. 
John Logan were also among the number forming the early set- 
tlement. Here occurred the first marriage in the county, the 
second birth, and the first death. The first marriage was that of 
Mr. John AYilson and Martha R. Vance, who were married on the 
thirtieth day of October, 1828, by Elder John Logan, a minister of 
the Baptist Church. The second birth in county, but first in set- 
tlement, iSTancy Carter, a daughter of Thomas Carter, who was 
born in August, 1828 ; the second birth w^as Elizabeth Black Logan, 
now Mrs. AVilliam C. Hainline, daughter of John and Nancy 
Logan. The first death was a son of Isaac Fowler, who died 
about the year 1829. 

The little band of whites forming Carter's settlement erected in 
the year 1827 a block house, or log fort, near the residence of 
AA''illiam Carter, on section 26. This was a two-story affair, the 
upper story projecting about four feet over the lower one on all 
sides. It was built in this way because it would afford more ample 
protection against being set on fire by the Indians. AVhere the 
upper story projected holes were made, through which an Indian 
could be gently tapped on tie head should he come for incendiary 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 67 

purposes. The building was eighteen by twenty feet, with iiunier- 
i>us port holes for the guns of the inmates. Luckily they had no 
occasion to use the building for the purpose for which it Avas 
erected. The soldiers that passed through this county in 
1831-32 to the seat of the Black Hawk war made considerable 
sport of this building, and of the idea of erecting one two hundred 
miles from the Indian country. But it should be remembered that 
the Indians were all around them every spring and fall, and like 
those of the present day, were a treacherous people. For some 
time this was the only settlement between Rushville and Rock 
Island, on the old Galena road. 

Job's Settlement. — About the same time that Rig-gs Peuninsftou 
and William Carter were forming a settlement in the south part 
of the county, AVilliam Job and a few others moved to the north 
part near the present town of Blandinsville. To the older resi- 
dents of the county the name of Job's Settlement is very familiar. 
Hugh Wilson and family started in 1826 from Schuyler county to 
go to some place on the Mississippi, near the Des Moines Rapids, 
and when they arrived near the present village of Webster, Han- 
cock county, they were met by William Job, William South- 
ward, and Ephraim Perkins, all brothers-in-law, who had settled 
in that vicinity a short time previous. Through the solicitude of 
Mr. Job, Mr. Wilson changed his course and went to the north- 
west part of this county, and settled upon section 9 of the pres- 
•ent township of Hire, on the farm now owned by James Seybold. 
Here he erected a " half-faced camp," being nothing more than a 
shed with three sides and an open front. Preparing his ground, 
he planted it, and raised a crop. When his harvest was over he 
built himself a more substantial house, into which he moved, 
but only lived therein about two weeks, when a friendly Indian 
came to his cabin and gave the alarm by stating that a band of 
hostile Indians was coming that way, and he had better leave. 
This advice he followed, going to the Des Moines Rapids. Job, 
Southward and Perkins, who had also settled in the vicinity, 
went to Morgan county, but returned the following spring. Wil- 
son never came back. 

This Wilson was a pioneer, truly, for he could not endure liv- 
ing near a wholly civilized community. In 1814 he moved from 
Tennessee to Indiana. After a few years he went to Kentucky ; 
thence to Missouri ; thence to Arkansas. From there he desired 



68 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

to emigrate farther south, but his fa.mily objecting, he returned; 
to Missouri, from whence he moved to Schuj^er county, this 
State, in 1825. The following year, as related, he settled in this 
county, m Job's Settlement, and thence pushed on to Iowa. He 
kept even pace with the Indians, being just far enough in their 
rear to be out of danger. His wife delighted in being on the 
move as much as he did, she averring " the food always tasted 
better when they were moving." Mr. Wilson was the father of 
John Wilson, of Industry township, and died in Iowa some years 
ago — as much from grief as of old age, it is said, because he could 
not influence his sons to go further west as far as the new State 
of Colorado, He had a decided distaste for living in a town, 
saying he would as soon go to the penitentiary. 

When William Job returned to the county in 1827, he drew 
around him a goodly number of people, and soon a very flourish- 
ing settlement was formed. John Vance, Nathaniel Heron, Red- 
mond Grigsby, Coffman, Bagby and others were among the first. 

Pennington'' s Point. — This was the third settlement found in the 
county, the locality still retaining its original name. The Point 
embraces a little neck of timber in the southwest part of the 
present township of New Salem, 5 north, 1 west, it being the 
only timber land in the township. Hon. Cyrus Walker, it is said,, 
gave this district its name in honor of Stewart Pennington, 
although William Pennington is entitled to the honor of being 
the first settler. The latter gentleman settled at the point in 1828, 
remaining about three years, moving from there to Spring Creek 
in the north part of the county. Stewart Pennington was the- 
second person to settle in the i)hice, Salem Woods the third, and 
William Osborne the fourth. When Stewart Pennington settled 
in the place the nearest families were the Smiths', nine mile& 
north; Parker's, nine miles northeast; Knott's ten miles east, 
in Fulton county ; thirteen miles southeast was a lonely log cabin ; 
six miles south were the A'^ance's, Stevens', and Carter's ; while 
Pesin Naylor was on the northwest, near the jiresent town of 
Macomb. 

The settlers at the Point, like those in other parts of the 
county, were poor in material wealth, but rich in faith, and each 
went to work with a will for the improvement of their respective 
homesteads. The result of their toils is now manifest, the farms 
in this neighborhood being among the best in the county. The 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 69 

•settlers now living in the vicinity are all in good circumstances 
and as happy as kings. 

Cam-p Creek derived its name from the fact that William Os- 
borne camped on its banks the entire summer of the year 1829. 
At that time the timber near the Creek was large, and the land 
farther out on either side was covered with hazel brush, crab ap- 
ples, plum trees, etc. At the present time, none of this is to 
be found. The tine timber on a part of Richard Pennington's 
farm is a second growth, the ground once having been cleared, 
and crops of corn, wheat and other grain raised thereon. 

Macomb. — Elias McFadden was the first settler in the vicinity'' 
of the present city of Macomb, and came to the place in the fall 
of 1828, or spring of 1829. He was followed soon after by John 
Baker, who is elsewhere spoken of in this work. After Mr. 
Baker, James Clarke, David Clarke, Resin Naylor, Samuel Rus- 
sell, Wm. Pringle, Samual Bogart, Anderson, and others, 

forming a very respectable neighborhood. Like other settlers of 
the county, this community hugged the timber, consequently we 
now find that all the oldest farms are timbered ones. The set- 
tlers were nearly all from Kentucky. In the year 1831, the origi- 
nal number was increased by the coming of James M. Campbell, 
Moses Hinton, S. H. Robinson and others. Several stores were 
opened, the tavern sign hung out, and entertainment was provided 
for man and beast. As we speak elsewhere of this place at con- 
siderable length it is needless to say more in this connection. 

HW.sgrove. — In the fall of 1830 Roswell Tyrrell, then a citizen of 
Fulton county, came to McDonough and built a cabin on sec. 26, 
5 n., 4w., now Tennessee township, after which he returned to 
Fulton for his family, but the big snow of that winter falliirg, he 
did not return until the following spring. Here he remained 
until the year 1832, not having a neighbor within several miles. 
At this time James Fulkerson and family came and settled on a 
farm adjoining his quarter. The first day of their arrival, while 
preparing their noon-day meal, their dogs began to bark, and 
looking out they discovered a large black bear, at which they 
were somewhat alarmed. Their dogs took after it, and soon were 
joined by those of Mr. Tyrrell, the bear fighting and tearing 
several of them in a terrible manner. Mr. Fulkerson followed and 
succeeded in getting in a good siiot, killed it, returning to the 
<;amp with his prize. It was dressed and weighed, bringing the 



70 • HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

beam clown at two hundred pounds. This was the first, and so far 
as we know, the only animal of the kind ever killed in the 
county. When the dogs of Mr. Tyrrell returned he discovered 
they were badly torn, and, being ignorant of what had occurred^ 
and supposing it had been done by the dogs of his new neighbor,, 
he was somewhat offended, but on receiving a huge slice of the 
bear's meat, and learning the particulars of the killing, he wa& 
satisfied. 

Following Mr. Fulkerson, other families settled in the neigh- 
borhood within two or three years, forming quite a settlement. 

Among the number being Ilill, for whom the postoffice and 

settlement was called ; Isaac Ilolton, Colonel Charles Wesley Wad- 
dill, Charles Waddill, David Kepple, Rev. James King, Charles G. 
Gilchrist. 

Isaac Ilolton was a graduate of Brown University, one of the best 
educational institutions in the East, and when he settled in the 
neighborhood he conceived the idea of establishing a similar insti- 
tution in this county at Hill's Grove, believing an institution located 
in the country would be better than one in a city^ as the young 
educated therein would not be subject to the temptations inci- 
dental to city life. Accordingly, about the year 1835, he opened 
a High School in an old log house in the neighborhood, continu- 
ing the same for some fifteen years. In this school were educated 
some of the best men in this section of the country, among whom 
we may mention Dr. ,1. H. Bacon, now of Fort Madison, Iowa ; 
H. W. Ferris, President of Carthage JSTational ]>ank ; John M. 
Ferris, attorney at law; Dr. Thompson Ferris, Carthage; Samuel 
Hunt, Bushnell ; C. W. Fulkerson, Rev. Sampson Talbot, Rev. 
William Owen, Thomas Fulkerson, and Larkiu Bacon. In the 
year 1837 he secured a charter from the Legislature of the State 
for the " Hill's Grove Academy," which he hoped would be the 
basis for a future college or university. We believe he never or- 
ganized under this charter, but continued his school as a private 
institution until called to his final home. 

The country aV)out the Grove for many years was infested by 
rattlesnakes and other reptiles, and a little southwest was a hollow 
that bears to this day the name of " Snake Den Hollow." In this 
hollow, in the crevices of the rocks, the snakes would form their 
"den " for the winter, and as the warm days of spring approached 
they would crawl out in great numbers. As soon as this fact be- 



IIISTOKY OF M DONOUGH COUNTY. (1 

came known, the neighbors began to make a raid upon them, or- 
ganizing parties for this purpose, taking turns in watching the 
holes from out of which the reptiles crawled, and killing them as 
they appeared. The snakes as they came forth from their dens 
would be in a torpid condition, and therefore were easily destroyed. 
The iirst year the manner in which the war was carried on was as 
follows: Stationing himself by the hole from which the snakes 
would crawl, a man would stand with a sharp pointed stick, and 
when the snake would show its head, he would thrust the stick 
through it, pulling it out, and then mashing its head. The second 
or third year a kind of trap was placed over the hole, into which 
the snakes would crawl, and at certain intervals some one would 
take and destroy them. This latter plan was preferable, as it re- 
quired but little time. As many as nine hundred snakes were 
killed in one season, principally of the rattle and black snake 
species, these two dwelling together harmoniously. Great care 
had to be taken to avoid being bitten by these dangerous reptiles. 
Many a poor farmer lost his entire means of subsistence by having 
his horses or cattle bitten by them. Abraham Fulkerson, a brother 
of James, aftected to care but little for the reptiles, stating there 
was no danger from them, but, alas, there was danger to him. 
One summer day, in order to cool and rest himself alter the heat 
and burden of the day, he laid down on the floor of his cabin and 
fell asleep. On waking, he threw hishandover on one side, when 
he felt a sharp pain in one of his lingers, and raising his hand he 
observed a large rattlesnake with its fangs imbedded in his finger, 
and was compelled to give his hand a shake before it loosened its 
hold. His family was called, and the smiple remedies known to 
the common people were tried, but without avail. The patient 
grew worse ; a doctor was called, and his skill brought into requi- 
sition, and the life ol the man was temporarily saved. Eye wit- 
nesses say never did they see a man suffer as he did, and they have 
no desire ever to witness another such scene. Although, as stated, 
the life of the man was saved for a time, the poison was not eradi- 
cated from his system, and in about one year after death came to 
his relief. 

Ilillsgrove settlement has not only the honor of killing the first 
and only black bear, and having the largest number of snakes in 
its midst, but two panthers were killed in that neighborhood at 
an early day. Elijah Tyrrell, a cousin of Roswell Tyrrell, while 
out hunting, discovered an animal in a tree as he thought in the 



72 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

act of springing upon him, and although at best a poor marksman, 
he hastily took aim and succeeded in shooting it through the 
heart. While in the act of skinning it, a little dog that was with 
him began to bark, and looking up he observed another animal 
eyeing him, and taking aim, succeeded in killing it also. Not 
knowing to what species of animal his game belonged, he report- 
ed at the house that he had '■'■ killed the devil P' This same man 
was again out in the woods when the wolves got after him, and he 
ran in the direction of his house, followed by a considerable pack 
of the animals. Finding that he could net reach his house, he 
took to a tree, and as he ascended the wolves jumped up and 
succeeded in tearing off a goodly portion of his jacket. His cries 
brought assistance, and he was rescued without receiving any 
injury. 

In the spring of 188!^ seed corn was hard to obtain and brought 
a good price, and a number of the farmers could not obtain 
sufficient for their use. During this year several companies of 
soldiers passed through the county going to the Black Hawk 
war; and having with them a supply ot corn brought from the 
south, the people endeavored to exchange what they had for the 
corn of the soldiers, and where they had none to exchange, and 
no money to buy, raked up the grains left by the horses where 
they were fed, saving them to plant. 

The trouble in obtaining flour and meal by the early settlers 
cannot be realized by any at the present day. Charles W. Fulk- 
erson gave the following as his experience on one occasion : — 
Being out of flour, he was sent by his parents with three or four 
bushels of wheat to mill, going flrst to Bacon's mill, near Crooked 
Creek, where, on account of low water, he could not get it ground. 
He then went on to Marietta, in Fulton county, and, falling in 
with David Kepple, the two continued on together. At Marietta 
they again failed to have their grain ground, and went on to an- 
other mill on Spoon river, near where it empties into the Illinois. 
This mill was owned by an old Scotchman and his sons. Arriv- 
ing here late on Saturday night, they explained to the sons of the 
old man their situation, and secured a promise from them to grind 
it on Monday morning. The old man was absent at the time, but 
the next morning he came into the mill yard where they had 
driven and ordered them to leave. Said he, "Get right out of 
my yard and home with you ; I will not grind you a single grain. 
All vou want with it is for speculating purposes, and I will have 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 73 

nothing to do with you ! " Mr. Fulkerson and Mr. Kepple both 
tried to reason with him, assuring him it was not for speculating 
purposes, and that they had not a morsel of meal or Hour at 
home ; but he would not listen to them, and they were compelled 
to hitch up their teams and depart. Leaving this mill they went 
to Vermont, where a mill had lately been erected, but here they 
met with no better success, and had to return home without hav- 
ing their grain ground at all; but Mr. Kepple, before leaving, 
hunted around the mill and succeeded in finding about a half 
bushel of " shorts," which he said he w^ould call Hour, and took 
it heme with him, but what success his people had in making 
bread out of it he never reported. When such a state of affairs 
occurred the only alternative the people had for making bread 
was to pound their corn with a pestle in a huge mortar made for 
that purpose, or, in lieu of that, to eat hominy. 

Ilillsgrove is frequently called " the old Methodist stamping 
ground," as here this body of people early secured a foothold and 
had many adherents. Many of the old pioneer preachers of this 
denomination held forth in the cabins of the early settlers. 
Thomas Fulkerson yet has a cabin standing on his place, where 
Peter Cartwright, the old Methodist apostle, preached to the 
hardy men and women of the neighborhood the unsearchable 
riches of Christ. The first sermon was preached by Rev. Valen- 
tine Wilson, a Methodist preacher, in 1833, at the house of James 
Fulkerson. 

Edward McDonough, for a number of years past a dealer in 
flour, etc., at Macomb, was the flrst child born in the township, 
which event occurred in April, 1832. His father was Hugh Mc- 
Donough, Sr., one of the pioneers of the county, and who died in 
1849. 

The country in and around the old Ilillsgrove settlement is ex- 
cellent, and the early settlers made a wise choice in their selec- 
tion. At present writing (March, 1877) many wealthy men 
inhabit this part of the county — men who obtained their wealth 
by hard labor in the early times. 

3Iid(iletown. — This place was laid out in the spring of 1837, by 
Major John Patrick and James Edmonston, Esq. The first house 
erected was by Major Patrick. The first settlers were James 
Edmonston and John Gibson, and Andrew Cox started the first 
store. It was called Middletown from the fact of its being the 



74 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

central point or middle town between Beardstown on the Illinois 
river and Burlington on the Mississippi river. It was also the 
crossing of the Beardstown and Burlington and the I'eoria and 
Quincj public roads. 

The first public sale of town lots occurred in April, 1837, lots 
realizing from $15 to $30 each. Very tew have at any time 
commanded a higher price than this. Although the town never 
grew to any considerable size or importance, it was at one time 
a busy and prosperous village, as will be seen by the following 
article taken trom the McDonough Independent of October 31, 
1853: 

'■'■3Iiddletow7i. — A few days since we paid a flying visit to this 
beautiful village in the western part of this county. We were 
much pleased with the evidences of prosperity which the town 
presents. It contains about 180 inhabitants, three dry goods 
stores, three taverns, several blacksmith shops, and a splendid 
steam saw mill which does a tine business. 

"Col. Patrick, who is engaged in the mercantile business, has 
just received an extensive stock in store, which were shown us 
by Capt. Lipe, his gentlemanly clerk.'' 

The country in the vicinity of Middletown is thickly settled by 
a good class of farmers, and is generally level prairie land, well 
drained and fertile. 

There was no portion of the county that labored harder to se- 
cure the line of the Northern Cross Railway than Middletown, 
which was to be on the main line of the contemplated road. Atan 
election held August 20, 1853, for the purpose of voting for or 
against the county subscribing |75,000 to this railroad, Middle- 
town precinct cast 198 votes lor and but 2 against the proposed 
enterprise. The road, however, when built, failed to be a benefit 
to the town; it w^as on the other hand, the means of taking her 
established trade from her, and causing many of her more prom- 
inent and enterprising citizens to seek other locations. The rea- 
son was, that instead of the road running through the town it 
ran five miles north, where new towns sprang up, which with the 
advantages of the railroad commanded the patronage and inter- 
ests of the people in the surrounding country. It is due the citi- 
zens of Middletown at the time the Railroad was projected to 
record that the failure of the road to pass through their town, 
was not a want of interest in the enterprise, or lack of earnest 



msTOKY OF m'donough county, 75 

labor on their part to secure tlie road, for as before mentioned, 
none worked harder to secure it than they, but it was on account 
of the condition of the country through which the road would 
necessarily have to be constructed. 



76 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE MOllMOXS. 

From 1835 to 1845, the County nearly doubled its population, 
having in the former year, according to the census reports, 2862 
souls, and six negroes; while, in the latter, it had 5355 souls and 
three negroes. Whether the negroes were regarded as having 
souls or not we cannot say, but presume not from the way the 
report reads. But little was done in the way of public improve- 
ment during those years, because ot the exceeding dullness of the 
times. 

In the years 1839-40, several families of that yer}^ peculiar 
people, the Mormons, settled in McDonough County. They came 
a,s refugees from Missouri, being driven from that State by the 
infuriated people whom they had persistently robbed and 
despoiled. Claiming that they were persecuted on account of 
their religion, they appealed to the sympathies of the people, and 
were received with favor. It is a well known fact that humanity 
will sympathize with those who are persecuted, be they right or 
wrong. It is related of Martin Van Buren that upon a certain 
occasion, going home he found his wife in tears, weeping bitterly 
over an article she had just read in a newspaper, in which her 
husband had been shamefully traduced. Learning the cause of 
her distress, he remarked : ' 'O never mind that, wife, I paid the 
editor $50 to insert it.' ' He knew the value of sympathy. 
Presuming that many ot our readers have never read a description 
of the Mormons, we offer no apology for the following extract 
from Ford's History, pp 157—158: 

"The people called the Mormons, but who called themselves 
^The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,' began to 
figure in the politics of the State in 1840. They were a religious 
eect, followers of a man familiarly called 'Joe Smith,' who was 
claimed by them to be a prophet. 



HISTORY OF m'donou<;h county. 77 

"This man was born at Sharon, Winsdor county, A^ermont, on 
the twenty-third day of December, 1805. Ilis parents were in 
humble circumstances, and gave their sou but an indifferent edu- 
cation. When he first began to act the prophet he was ignorant 
of ahiiost everything which belonged to science, but he made up 
in natural cunning and in power of invention and coustructive- 
ness for many deficiencies of education. 

"When he was ten years old his parents removed to Palmyra, 
AVayne county, Xew York. Here his extreme youth was spent 
in idle, vagabond life, roaming the woods, dreaming of buried 
treasures, and exerting himself to learn the art of finding them by 
the twisting of a forked stick in his hands, or by looking through 
enchanted stones. He, and his father before liira, were what are 
called ' water witches,' always ready to point out the ground 
where wells might be dug and water found, and many are the 
anecdotes of liis early life, giving bright promise of future profli- 
gacy. Such was Joe Smith when he was found by Sidney Rig- 
don, who was a man of considerable talent and information. 

"Rigdon had become possessed of a religious romance written by 
a Presbytenan clergyman in Ohio, then dead, which suggested to 
him the idea of starting a new religion. It was agreed that Joe 
Smith should be put forward as a prophet ; and the two devised a 
story that golden plates had been found buried in the earth in the 
neighborhood of Palmyra containing a record inscribed on them in 
unknown characters, which, when deciphered by the powers of 
inspiration, gave the history of the ten lost tribesof Israel in their 
wanderings through Asia into America, where they had settled 
and flourished, and where, in due time, Christ came and preached 
his gospel to them, appointed his twelve apostles, and was cruci- 
fied here nearl}" in the same manner in which he was crucified in 
Jerusalem. 

"The second then pretended to give the history of the American 
Christians for a few hundred years, until the great wickedness 
of the people called down the judgment of God upon them^ 
which resulted in their extermination. Several nations of people, 
from the Isthmus of Darien to the extremities of North America, 
were arrayed against each other in war. At last the great battle 
of Cumorah was fought in Palmyra, New York, between the 
Lamanites, who were the heathens of this continent, and the 
Nephites, who were the Christians, in which battle there was a 



HISTORY OF M DONOUCill COUNTY. 



prodigious slaughter — hundreds ot thousands being killed on 
each side. The nation of the Xephites was destro^yed, except a 
few who had deserted, and a few who had escaped into the south 
country. Among this number was Mormon and his son Moroni, 
who were righteous men, and who, as it was said, were directed 
by the Almighty to make a record of all these solemn and import- 
iint events on plates of gold, and bury them in the earth, to be 
discovered in a future age, fourteen centuries afterwards. It is 
needless to add that the pretended translations of the hieroglyph- 
ics said to be inscribed on these pretended plates, were no more 
nor less than the religious romance already spoken of, but which 
now appeared as the book of Mormon. 

"The prophet in after life pretended that at an early age he 
became much concerned about the salvation of his soul. He went 
to the religious meetings of many sects to seek information ot the 
way to heaven, and was afterwards told, 'this is the way, walk ye 
in it.' He reflected upon the multitude of doctrines and sects, 
and it occurred to him that God could be the author of but one 
doctrine, and own but one church; he looked among all the sects 
to see which was this one true church of Christ, but he could not 
decide; and until he became satisfied, he could not be contented. 
His anxious desires led him diligently to search the scriptures, 
and he perused the sacred pages, believing the tilings that he 
read. He now saw that the true way was to enquire of God, and 
then there was a certainty of success. He theretore retired to a 
secret place in a grove near his father's house, and kneeling down 
began to call upon the Lord : darkness gave way, and he prayed 
with fervency of spirit. Whilst he continued praying the light 
appeared to be gradually descending towards him; and as it drew 
nearer it increased in brightness and magnitude, so that by the 
time it reached the tops of the trees, the whole wilderness for 
quite a distance around was illuminated in a glorious and brilliant 
manner. He expected the leaves of the trees to be consumed, but 
seeing no such effect of the light, he was encouraged with the 
hope to endure its presence. It descended slowly until he was 
enveloped in the midst ot it. Immediately he was caught away 
in a heavenly vision, and saw two glorious personages, alike in 
their features, and he was now informed that his sins were 
forg-iven. Here he learned that none of the churches then in 
being was the church of God, and received a promise at some 
future time of the fullness of the Gospel, and a knowledge of the 



HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGH COUNTY, 79 

true doctrine. After this, being still young, he was entangled in 
the vanities of the world, of which he sincerely and truly repented. 

"On the twenty-third of September, 1823, God again heard his 
prayers. His mind had been drawn out in fervent prayer for his 
acceptance with God; and for a knowledge of the doctrines of 
Christ according to promise m the former vision. While he was 
thus pouring out his desires, on a sudden a light burst out into 
the room like the light of day, but purer and more glorious in 
appearance and brightness, the sight of it was, as though the 
house had been filled with consuming fire; this occasioned a 
shock felt to the extremities of his body, and then was followed 
by calmness of mind and overwhelming rapture of joy, wheti in 
a moment a personage stood before him, who, notwithstanding 
the light, seemed to be surrounded by an additional glory, which 
shown with increased brilliancy. This personage was above the 
ordinary size of man, his raiment was perfectly white and had 
the appearance to be without seam. This glorious being declared 
himself to be an angel sent to announce the forgiveness of his 
sins, and to answer his prayers by bringing the glad tidings that 
the covenant of God with ancient Israel concerning posterity, 
was at last about to be fulfilled ; that preparation for the second 
coming of Christ was speedily to commence; that the fulness of 
the Gospel was about to be preached in peace unto all nations, 
that the people might be prepared for the millenium of universal 
peace and joy. 

"At the same time he had been informed that he had been called 
and chosen as an instrument in the hands of God to bring about 
some of his marvellous purposes in this glorious dispensation. 

"It was made known to him that the American Indians were a 
remnant of Israel ; that when they first came here they were an 
enlightened people, having a knowledge of the true God; that 
the prophets and inspired writers amongst them had been re- 
quired to keep a true record of their history, which had been 
handed down for many generations, until the people fell into 
wickedness; when nearly all of them were destroyed, and the 
records by command of God were safely deposited to preserve 
them from the hands of the wicked who sought to destroy them. 
If faithful he was to be the highly favored instrument in bringing 
these records to liffht. 



80 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUls'TY. 

"The angel now disappeared, leaving him in a state of perfect 
peace, but visited him several times afterwards, instructing him 
concerning the great work of God about to commence on earth. 
He was instructed where these records were deposited, and re- 
quired to go immediately to view them, Thej^ were found on the 
side of a hill slightly buried in the earth, secured in a stone box, 
on the road from Palmyra to Canandagua, in jSTew York, about 
three miles from the village of Manchester. The records were 
said to be engraved on gold plates in Egyptian characters ; the 
plates were of the thickness of tin, bound together like a book, 
fastened on one side by three rings whi-;;!! run through the whole 
and formed a volume of about six inches in thickness. And in 
the same box with them were found two stones, transparent and 
clear as crystal, the Urim and Thummim used by seers in ancient 
times, the instruments of revelations of things distant, past, or 
future. 

"When the prophet first saw these things, being filled with the 
Holy Ghost, and standing and admiring, the same angel of the 
Lord appeared in his presence, and said, 'look ;' and he beheld 
the devil surrounded by a great train of his associates. He then, 
after receivins: further directions from the angel, started home to 
liis father's house, where he was waylaid by two ruffians. One of 
them struck him with a club, but was repulsed, but they followed 
him nearly home, when they fled for fear of detection. The news 
of his discovery got abroad ; the new prophet w^asthe sport of lies, 
slanders and mobs, and vain attempts to rob him of his plates. He 
removed to the northern part of Pennsylvania, where he com- 
menced, with the aid of inspiration and the Urim and Thummim, 
to translate the plates. He finished a part of which is called the 
Book of Mormon. It is pretended that Mormon hid all the old 
records up in the hill of Cumorah, but had first made an abridge- 
ment of them, w^hich was called the Book of Mormon, and which 
he gave to his son Moroni to finish. Moroni continued to serve his 
nation for a few years, and continued the writings of his father 
until after the great battle of Cumorah, when he kept himself hid, 
for the Lamanites sought to kill every Nepliite who refused to 
deny Christ. The story is remarkably well gotten up, and many 
yet, unhappily, make the foundation of a religion which may roll 
back upon the world barbarism of eighteen centuries passed away. 
Whilst there are fools and knaves, there is no telling what may 
be accomplished by such a religion. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 81 

"And the prophet was not without his witnesses. Oliver Cow- 
dery, Martin Harris and Daniel Whitemore solemnly certify that 
'we have seen the plates which contain the records ; that they 
were translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice has 
declared it unto us, wherefore we know of a surety that the work 
is true ; and we declare with words of soberness that an angel of 
God came down from heaven and brought and laid it before 
our eyes; that we beheld and saw the plates and the engravings 
thereon.' 

"Eight other witnesses certify that 'Joseph Smith, the transla- 
tor, had shown them the plates spoken of, which had the appear- 
ance of gold ; and as many of the plates as the said Smith had 
translated they did handle with their hands, and they also saw 
the engravings thereon, all of which had the appearance of an- 
cient work and curious workmanship.' 

'•The most probable account of these certificates is that the wit- 
nesses were in the conspiracy, aiding the imposture; but I have 
been informed by men "who were once in the confidence of the 
prophet, that he privately gave a different account of the matter. 

"It is related that the prophet's early followers were anxious to 
see the plates; the prophet had always given out that they could 
not be seen by the carnal eye, but must be spiritually discerned ; 
that the power to see them depended npon faith, and was the 
gift of God, to be obtained by fasting, prayer, mortification of the 
flesh, and exercise of the spirit; that so soon as he could see the 
evidence of a strong and lively faith in any of his followers, 
they should be gratified in their holy curiosit3\ 

"He set them to continual prayer and other spiritual exercises to 
acquire this livel}^ faith, by means of which the hidden things of 
God could be spiritually discerned, and at last, when he could 
delay them no longer, he assembled them in a room and produced 
a box, w^iich, he said, contained the pecious ti'easure. The lid 
was opened; the witnesses peeped into it, but making no discov- 
ery, for the box was empty, they said, ' Brother Joseph, we do 
not see the plates.' The prophet answered them : ' O, ye of lit- 
tle faith, how long will God bear with this wicked and perverse 
generation ? Down on your knees, brethren, every one of you, 
and pray to God for the forgiveness of your sins, and for a holy 
and a living faith which cometh down from heaven.' The dis- 
ciples dropped to their knees, and began to pray in the fervency 
II— 6 



82 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

of their spirit, supplicating God for more than two hours with 
fanatical earnestness ; at the end of which time, looking again 
into the box, they were now persuaded that they saw the plates, 
I leave it to the philosophers to determine whether the fumes of 
an enthusiastic and fanatical imagination are thus capable of 
blinding the mind and deceiving the senses by so absurd a delu- 
sion. 

'•The book of Mormon pretended to reveal the fullness of the 
Gospel of Jesus Christ, as he delivered it to his people in America. 
It was to be brought forth by the power of God, and carried to 
the Gentiles, of whom many were to receive it, and after this the 
seed of Israel were to be brought into the fold also. It was 
pretended that pristine Christianity was to be restored, with the 
gift of prophec}^ witli the gift of tongues, with the laying on of 
hands to core all manner of diseases. Many were the pretended 
prophets which this sect brought forth. 

"Many of the disciples spoke in an outlandish gibberish, which 
they called the unknown tongue ; others again acted as interpret- 
ers of this jargon, for it rarely happened that he who was gifted 
to speak in an unknown tongue was able to understand his own 
communications ; and many brilliant miracles were pretended to 
be wrought in the cure of diseases, by the laying on of hands and 
by the prayer of faith." 

The main body of the Mormons settled in the neighborhood of 
IS'auvoo, Hancock County, a few only in McDonough, and these 
latter remained oidy until it was thought there was an opening 
for them in the "city of the Saints.'' 

In the summer of 1843 George Miller, then a member of the 
Presbyterian Church in Macomb, living in that town, and in the 
house now owned by James Roberts, corner of East Carroll and 
Korth Randolph streets, made a trip to ISTauvoo, returning ap- 
parently with not a very favorable opinion of the "Saints," unless 
we except Joe Smith, the prophet. Still, as occasion offered, he 
would refer to the Mormons, and express a desire to again hear 
them preach. He said to the citizens of Macomb that if they de- 
sired to hear, he would have Joe Smith come over and preach for 
them. A few days later he went to the woods, near the present 
town of Bardolph, in search of blackberries. After a little he 
threw up his arms, screamed and fell to the ground. He was 
taken up, a bed was provided, and he was taken home. Dr. J. 



HISTORY OF M'DONOUrJH COUNTY. 83 

J>. Kyle Avus culled in, and relieved him of about a quart of blood, 
and gave him a good, strong dose of calomel. The beginning of 
this tit occurred about the middle of the afternoon on Thursday-, 
and for forty-eight hours he continued to rave. About the middle 
of the afternoon on Saturday, a couple of men, on horseback, rode 
up to the square, andmeetiug William Hamilton, now of Bushnell, 
inquired if he knew where George Miller lived. Being directed 
to the place, they rode over, and tying their horses, went into the 
house, knelt down by the bed-side of the sick man, commenced 
praying in a loud tone. On the conclusion of their prayer, they 
arose, and laid their hands upon Mr. Miller. This they repeated, 
calling upoia Mr. M. to have faith — by faith all things were possi- 
ble. In a few moments he became calm, and soon was sitting up 
in bed, and the next day was as well as ever, though a little weak. 
He was indeed well enough to attend the preaching of these 
Saints, one of whom was the renowned Sydney Rigdon. Whether 
all tliis was a " put up job" between Mr. Miller and the Saints we 
know not. Suffice it to say that on Monday morning Mr. Miller 
Avas baptised in the creek north of town, and in few days he re- 
moved to Xauvoo and became a leader among the Mormon people. 
In August, 1843, occurred the Congressional election. Hon. 
Cyrus Walker and Hon. James P. Hoge were the rival candidates 
for Congress, and each labored to secure the Mormon vote. This 
subject is treated elsewhere in this work. During all this time 
the Mormons had continued to increase in numbers until they had 
become a powerful body. As they grew in strength, they 
became arrogant, and, under the assumption that " the earth was 
the Lord's, and the fullness thereof," and that they being his 
peculiar people, were entitled to all the fruits of it, the Gentiles 
having lo rights which they were bound to respect. This 
doctrine led to considerable trouble between the " Saints" and 
those who were not disposed to accept it. Much stock disappeared 
from all parts of the county, a great deal of it being found in the 
" holy city. '' ]5ut when found, it was extremely difficult to regain 
possession. Under a provision of the city charter of jS"auvoo, the 
Mormons enacted "that no writ issued from any other place, for 
the arrest of any of her citizens, should be recognized in the city, 
without an approval endorsed thereon by the mayor; that if any 
public officer, by virtue of any foreign writ, should attempt to 
make an arrest in the city, without such approval of his process, 
he should be subject to imprisonment for life ; and that even the 



84 HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGH COUNTY. 

Governor of the State should not have the power of pardoning the- 
offender without the consent of the mayor." If an attempt was 
made to obtain property by a writ of replevin, witnesses without 
number would promptly swear it belonged to some Mormon 
claimant. The following is a case in point: A gentleman living 
in the southern part of this county had a valuable horse stolen^ 
which he afterwards found in Nauvoo, and seized. During the 
trial resulting therefrom he had sixty witnesses to identity the 
horse as his property, but the Mormons brought forward seventy 
to prove that it belonged to some " Saint," and having a prepon- 
derance of testimony, the Mormon justice decided in favor of his 
brother. 

The citizens of Hancock County submitted to this state of affairs 
until endurance ceased to be a virtue, and the Governor was 
appealed to for aid. This assistance was asked more especially on 
account ot the failure to arrest Joseph Smith and other leading 
Mormons for engaging in a riot in destroying the office of an 
anti-Mormon paper. A warrant was issued at Carthage and 
served upon them, when they were taken at once to the Municipal 
Court of Nauvoo, on a writ of habeas corpus, and discharged from 
custody. 

On the twenty-first day of June, 1844, Gov. Ford arrived at 
Carthage, where he found an armed force assembled, and hourly 
increasing in numbers, composed of men from Hancock, Mc- 
Donough, and Schuyler Counties. He immediately placed all 
under military command of their proper officers. A messenger 
was then despatched to ISTauvoo, requesting the leaders of the 
Mormons to send a committee to lay their side of the question 
before him. Says the Governor in his History : 

"It appeared clearly, both from the complaints of the citizens 
and the acknowledgments of the Mormon committee, that the 
whole proceedings of the Mayor, the Common Council, and the 
Municipal Court, were irregular and illegal, and not to be endured 
in a free country ; though perhaps some apology might be made 
for the court, as it had been repeatedly assured by some of the 
best lawyers in the State who had been candidates for office before 
that people, that it had full and competent power to issue writs 
of habeas corpus in all cases whatever. The Common Council 
violated the law in assuming the exercise of judicial power; in 
proceeding ex-parte without notice to the owners of the property;, 
in proceeding against the property in rem, in not caUing a jury; 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 85 

In not swearing all the witnesses ; in not giving the owners of the 
property, accused of being a nuisance, in consequence of being 
libelous, an opportunity of giving the truth in evidence: and in 
fact, by not proceeding by civil suit or indictment, as in other 
cases of libel. The mayor violated the law in ordering this er- 
roneous and absurd judgment of the common council to be exe- 
cuted, and the municipality erred in discharging them from arrest. 
" As this proceeding touched the liberty of the press, which is 
Justly dear to any republican people, it was well calculated to 
raise a great Hame of excitement. And it may well be questioned 
whether years of misrepresentation by the most profligate news- 
paper could have engendered such a feeling as was produced by 
the destruction of this one press. It is apparent that the Mormon 
leaders but little understood, and regarded less, the true principles 
of civil liberty. A tree press, well conducted, is a great blessing 
to a free people. A profligate one is likely soon to deprive itself 
of all credit and influence by the multitude of falsehoods put 
forth by it. But let this be as it may, there is more lost to rational 
liberty by a censorship of the press, by suppressing information 
proper to be known by the people, than can be lost by an indi- 
vidual now and then by a temporary injury to his character and 
influence by the utmost licentiousness. 
* * >ti * * * * * * 

"It was asserted that Joe Smith, the founder and head of the 
Mormon Church, had caused himself to be crowned and anointed 
king ot the Mormons ; that he had embodied a band of his follow- 
ers called ' Danites,' who were sworn to obey him as God, and to 
do his commands, murder and treason not excepted ; that he had 
instituted an order in the church whereby those who composed it 
were pretended to be sealed up to eternal life against all crimes, 
save the shedding of innocent blood, or consenting thereto; that 
this order was instructed that no blood was innocent blood except 
that of the members of the church ; and that these two orders were 
made the ministers of his vengeance, and the instruments of an 
intolerable tyranny which he had established over his people, and 
which he was about to extend over the neighboring country. 

" The people affected to believe that with this power in the 
hands of an unscrupulous leader there was no safety for the lives 
or property of any one who opposed him. They attected likewise 
to believe that Smith inculcated the legality of perjury, or any 
other crime in defense or to advance the interests of true believers : 



S6 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

and that himself had set them the example bj' swearing to a false 
accusation against a certain person for the crime of murder. It 
was likewise asserted to be a fundamental article of the Mormon 
faith that God had given the world and all it contained to them as 
his Saints; that they secretly believed in their rights to all the 
goodly lands, farms and property in the country ; that at present 
they were kept out of their rightful inheritance by force ;that con- 
sequently there was no moral offense in anticipating God's good 
time to put them in possession by stealing if opportunity offered; 
that in fact the whole church was a community of murderers, 
thieves, robbers, and outlaws ; that Joseph Smith had established 
a bogus factory in ISTauvoo for the manufacture of counterfeit 
money, and that he maintained about his person a tribe of swin- 
dlers, blacklegs and counterfeiters to makeit and put it into circu- 
lation. 

" It Avas also believed that he had announced a revelation from 
heaven sanctioning polygamy, by a kind of spiritual wife system,, 
whereb}^ a man was allowed one wife in pursuance of the laws of 
the country, and an indefinite number of others to be enjoyed in 
some mystical and spiritual mode; and that he himself, and many 
of his followers, had practiced upon the principles of this revela- 
tion by seducing a large number of women. 

" It was also asserted that he was in alliance with the Indians 
of the western territories, and had obtained over them such a 
control that in case of a war he could command their assistance 
to murder his enemies. 

" But tlie great cause of popular fury was that the Mormons at 
several preceding elections had cast their vote as a unit, thereby 
making the fact apparent that no one could aspire to the honors 
of the offices of the country within the sphere of their influence, 
without their approbation and votes. It appears to be one of the 
principles upon which they insist upon being governed as a com- 
munity, to act as a unit in all matters of government and religion. 
They express themselves to be fearful that if division should be 
encouraged in politics, it would soon extend to tlieir religion and 
rend their church with schism and into sects." 

The result of the various conferences with the Governor was 
that Smith and some of the leaders of the Mormons agreed to 
surrender and stand trial at Carthage, under assurance of protec- 
tion. AVe again quote from Ford's history : 



HISTORY OF 1\i'dONOUC;H COUNTY. 87 

"On tliG twenty-third, or twenty-fourth day of June, Joseph 
Smith, the mayor of Nauvoo, together with his brother Hiram 
and all the members of the council, and all others demanded, 
came into Carthage and surrendered themselves prisoners to the 
constable on the charge of riot. They all voluntarily entered 
into a recognizance before the justice of the peace, for their ap- 
pearance at court to answer the charge, and all of them were dis- 
charged from custody except Joseph and Iliram Smith, against 
whom the magistrate had issued a new writ, on a complaint of 
treason. They were immediately arrested by the constable on 
this charge, and retained in his custody to answer it. 

"The overt act of treason charged against them consisted in the 
alleged levying of war against the State by declaring martial law 
in iSTauvoo, and in ordering out the legion to resist the j;Oc<fsg 
comitatus. Their actual guiltiness of the charge would depend 
upon circumstances. If their opponents had been seeking to put 
the law in force in good faith, and nothing more, then an array 
of military force in open resistance to the jposse comitatas and 
the militia of the State, most probably would have amounted to 
treason. But if those opponents merely intended to use the pro- 
cess of the law, the militia of the State and the 'posse comitatus, 
as cat's paws to compass the possession of their persons for the 
purpose of murdering them afterwards, as the sequel demon- 
strated the fact to be, it might well be doubted whether they 
were guilty of treason. 

"After the Smith's had been arrested on the new charge of 
treason, the justice of the peace postponed the examination, be- 
cause neither of the parties were prepared with their witnesses 
for trial. In the meantime, he committed them to the jail of the 
county for greater security." 

A great desire was manifested on the part of the militia, es- 
pecially from this county, to see Joe Smith, the great leader of 
the Mormons, so on the morning of the twenty-seventh of June, 
under guard of the Carthage Grays, commanded by Captain E. 
F. Smith, afterwards the gallant Colonel of the Sixteenth Illinois 
Volanteer Infantry during the war of the rebellion, he was 
marched around the public square, and thence taken back to the 
jail. The Governor then disbanded the principal part of the mi- 
litia, placed the Carthage Grays as a guard around the jail, and 
proceeded to Nauvoo for the purpose of exerting his influence 



OO HISTORY OF M DONOUOH COUNTY. 

with the Mormons in favor of peace. The volunteers from Mc- 
Donough immediately returned home, leaving Carthage about 
two o'clock, P. M. The Governor arrived in JSTauvoo about four 
o'clock the same day, and as soon as notice could be given, a crowd, 
estimated at from one to five thousand, assembled to hear him 
speak. lie counselled their obedience to the law, and asked their 
co-operation in sustaining all lawful measures, and then called for 
a vote as to whether his advice should be followed. Of course, 
they voted to be law-abiding citizens. A short time before sun- 
down he started on his return to Carthage, and had proceeded 
about two miles when he was met by two men — one of them a 
Mormon — who informed him that Smith was killed. Ordering 
the two men under arrest, he hastened on to Carthage. Says the 
Governor, pp. 348—3-19 : 

"As for myself it [the news of the murder] was perfectly astound- 
ing, and I anticipated the very worst consequences from it. The 
Mormons had been represented to me as a lawless, infatuated and 
fanatical people, not governed by the ordinary motives which in- 
fluence the rest of mankind. If so, most likely an exterminating 
war would ensue, and the whole land would be covered with deso- 
lation. Acting upon this supposition, it was my duty to provide 
as well as I could for the event. I therefore ordered the two mes- 
sengers into custody, and to be returned with us to Carthage. 
This was done to make such arrangements as could be made, and 
to prevent any sudden explosion of Mormon excitement before 
they could be written to by their friends at Carthage. I also dis- 
patched messengers to Warsaw to advise the citizens of the event. 
But the people there knew all about it before my messengers ar- 
rived. They, like myself, anticipated attack all over the country. 
The women and children were moved across the river, and a com- 
mittee was dispatched that night to Quincy for assistance. The 
next morning by daylight the ringing of bells in the city of Quincy 
announced a public meeting. The people assembled in great 
nunil)ers at an early hour. The Warsaw committee stated to the 
meeting that a party of Mormons had attempted to rescue the Smiths 
out of jail ; that a party of Missourians and others had killed the 
prisoners to prevent their escape; that the Governor and his party 
were at Nauvoo at the time when intelligence of the fact was 
brought there ; that they had been attacked by the Kauvoo Legion, 
and had retreated to a house where they were then closely besieged ; 
that the Governor had sent out word that he could maintain his 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 89 

position for two days, and would be certain to be massacred if as- 
sistance did not arrive by the end of that time. It is unnecessary 
to say that this entire story was fabricated. It was of a piece of 
the other reports put into circulation by the anti-Mormon party to 
influence the public mind and call the people to their assistance. 
The effect of it, however, was that by 10 o'clock on the twenty- 
eighth of June between two and three hundred men from Quincy, 
under command of Major Flood, embarked on board of a steam- 
boat for Nauvoo, to assist in raising the siege, as they honestly 
believed. 

" As for myself, I was w^ell convinced that those, whoever they 
were, who assassinated the Smiths, meditated in turn my assassi- 
nation by the Mormons. The very circumstances of the case fully 
corroborated the information which I afterwards received, that 
upon consultation of the assassins, it was agreed amongst them 
that the murder must be committed whilst the Governor was at 
Nauvoo : that the Mormons would naturally suppose he planned 
it, and in the first outpouring of their indignation, they would 
assassinate him, by way of retaliation. And that thus they would 
get clear of the Smiths and the Governor all at once. They also 
supposed, that if they could so contrive the matter as to have the 
Governor of the State assassinated by the Mormons, the public 
excitement would be greatly increased against that people, [and 
would result in their expulsion from the State at least. " 

On pages 353 — 355, the Governor relates the following account 
of the murder : 

"It was many days after the assassination of the Smith's 
before the circumstances of the murder fully became known. It 
then appeared that, agreeably to previous orders, the posse at 
Warsaw had marched, on the twenty-seventh of June, in the 
direction of Golden's Point, with a view to join the force from 
Carthage, the whole body then to be marched into ISTauvoo. But 
by the time they had gone eight miles, they were met by the or- 
der to disband; and learning at the same time that the Governor 
was absent at Nauvoo, about two hundred of these men, many of 
them being disguised by blacking their faces with powder and 
mud, hastened to Carthage. There they encam[)ed at some dis- 
tance from the village, and soon leariied tluit one of the companies 
left as guard had disbanded and returned to their homes ; the 
other company, the Carthage Grays, was stationed by the captain 



90 HISTORY OF m'donou(;;h county. 

in the public square, a hundred and lifty yards from the jail, 
whilst eight men were detailed by him, under the command of 
Sergeant Franklin A. AVorrell, to guard the prisoners. A com- 
munication was soon established between the conspirators and the 
company, and it was arranged that the guards should have their 
guns charged with blank cartridges, and fire at the assailants 
when they attempted to enter the jail. Gen. Deming, who was 
left in command, being deserted by some of his troops and per- 
ceiving the arrangements with the others, and having no force 
upon which he could rel}^, for fear of his life retired from the vil- 
lage. The conspirators came up, jumped the slight fence around 
the jail, were fired upon by the guards, which, according to ar- 
rangements, were overpowered immediately, and the assailants en- 
tered the prison to the door of the room, wdiere the two prison- 
ers were confined with two of their friends who voluntarily bore 
them company. An attempt was made to break open the door ; 
but Joseph Smith being armed with a six barrelled pistol, fur- 
nished by his friends, fired several times as the door was bursted 
open, and Avounded three of the assailants. At the same time 
several shots were fired into the room by some of which John 
Taylor received four wounds, and Hiram Smith was instantly 
killed. Joe Smith attempted to escape by jumping out the sec- 
ond story window ; but the fall so stunned him that he wao una- 
ble to rise; and being placed in a sitting posture by the conspi- 
rators below, they dispatched him with four balls shot through 
his body. 

"Thus fell Joe Smith, the most successful impostor in modern 
times, a man who, though ignorant and coarse, had some great 
natural parts, which fitted him for temporary success, but which 
were so obscured and counteracted by the inherent corruption 
and vices of his nature, that he never could succeed in establishing 
a system of policy which looked to permanent success in the 
futui'e. His lusts, his love of money and power, always set him to 
studying present gratification and convenience, , rather than the 
remote consequences of his plans. It seems that no power of 
intellect can save a corrupt man from this error. The strong 
cravings" of the animal nature will never give fair play to a fine 
understanding, the judgment is never allowed to choose that good 
which is far away in preference to the enticing evil near at hand. 
And this may be considered a wise ordinance of l*rovidence, by 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 91 

which the councils of talented but corrupt men are (lefeated in the 
very act which promised success." 

That it was a brutal and premeditated murder cannot be, and 
is not, denied at this day. But the end of the murderers was not 
gained, as the Mormons did not evacuate Xauvoo for two years 
afterwards. In the meantime the excitement and prejudice 
against this people were not allowed to die out. Horse stealing 
was quite common, and every case that occurred was charged to 
the Mormons. That they were guilty of it cannot be denied, but 
a great deal, we now know, was by organized bands of thieves, 
Avho knew they could carry on their nefarious business with more 
safety as long as suspicion could be placed upon the Mormons. 

iiefore the spring of 1846 the great majority of the Mormons 
had left Kauvoo, but still a large number remained. About this 
time a man by the name of Debenheyer was killed near the town 
of Pontoosuc, and buried in a ditch by the side of a sod fence. 
The murderers were unknown, but a number of Mormons had 
been lying around the neighborhood for some time making night 
hideous with their noise, and were ordered away. They refused 
to go, when, one day Avhile at work in a Held surrounded on 
three sides by timber, they were surrounded by forty or fifty anti- 
Mormons, who captured them, took them to the place where Del)- 
enheyer had been buried, stripped them of their clothing, gave 
each of them thirty and nine lashes upon their bare backs, and 
again bid them go. They went to ISTauvoo, reported the matter,, 
and a few nights afterwards a large number of the ]Mormons sur- 
rounded the house of Major McCauley, who lived in the neigh- 
borhood of the occurrence, and demanded his surrender. J. VT. 
Brattle, now of Macomb, was stopping with him, and was like- 
Avise arrested and taken with liim to Xauvoo. The men were 
held for several days, when, after due trial, they were discharged. 
They would probably not have been let oft" so easily had not sev- 
eral leading Mormons been taken b}' the anti-Mormon party and 
held as hostages. 

Some time in the years 1845 or 1846, a party of Mormons 
started from Nauvoo in search of a young man whom they 
thought had done them an injury. The young man fled to the 
house of John Vance, Esq., living near Blandinsville, and, as the 
Mormons were in close pursuit, jumped into bed, covered up, and 
told Mrs. Vance to tell the party he was her son. Quick as a 
flash she took in the situation, and, seizins: a white handkerchief 



^2 HISTORY OF M'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

she wet it and laid it over Lis head. When the Mormons came 
in she requested them to be very quiet, for her son was in a 
high fever. Observing the young man in bed they pursued 
their search as quietly as possible, and soon retired. The young 
man afterwards remarked it was no sham about his being in a 
high fever, for well he knew if his identity had been discovered, 
his life would not have been worth a farthing. 

About the tirst of September, 1846, a writ was issued against 
several loading Mormons, and placed in the hands of John Carlin, 
of Carthage, for execution. Carlin called out a posse to help make 
the arrest. Two or three companies of men went from this county 
to his aid, and quite a large force was soon gathered in the neigh- 
borhood of Kauvoo. Carlin, not being a military man, placed the 
command of the posse first under General Singleton, and after- 
ward under Colonel Brockman, who proceeded to invest the city, 
erecting breastworks, and taking other means for defensive as well 
as ofiensive operations. What was then termed a battle next took 
place, resulting in the death of one Mormon and the wounding of 
several others, and mortally wounding one man who volunteered 
from this county, but a citizen of Pennsylvania, who was here on 
a visit, and slightly wounding several others. 

While the greater number of the male citizens of Macomb were 
gone to Nauvoo, apprehension was felt by the women that an at- 
tack might be made on the town, and they would not rest con- 
tent without a guard every night to give the alarm in case the 
Mormons appeared. James M. Campbell and others agreed to 
act as guard, and every night about dark would begin their 
regular patrol. They would remain out until the lights about 
town were put out and the inhabitants were supposed to be asleep 
when they would go home to bed. A gentleman from Ohio was 
at Macomb at this time, coming out for the purpose of purchasing 
land for a future home, but learning of the troubles, and hearing 
tlie cannon tiring at Xauvoo, which could be heard very distinctly 
at the former place, mounted his horse and rode home, swearing 
that he would not live in a country where the inhabitants were 
engaged in killing one another. If this gentleman would return 
to the county now and see the great improvements that have been 
made, he would certainly be sorry that he was so hasty in forming 
his conclusions. 

The Mormons now realized that their time had come. Says 
Ford, pages 423-425 : 



HISTORY OF M'dONOU(;H COUNTY. 9-^ 

" At last, through the intervention of an anti-Mormon committee 
of one hundred from Quincy, the Mormons and their allies were 
induced to submit to such terms as the posse chose to dictate, 
which were that the Mormons should immediately give up their 
arms to the Quincy committee, and remove from the State. 

"The trustees-of the Church and five of their clerks were permit- 
ted to remain for the sale of Mormon property, and the posse 
were to march in unmolested, and to leave a sufficient force to 
guarantee the performance of their stipulations. 

"Accordingly, the constable's posse marched in with Brockmaii 
at their head, consisting of about eight hundred armed men, and 
six or seven hundred unarmed, who had assembled from all the 
country around, from motives of curiosity, to see the once proud 
city of Nauvoo humbled, and delivered up to its enemies, and to 
the domination of a self-constituted and irresponsible power. 
They proceeded into the city slowly and carefully, examining the 
way for fear of the explosion of a mine, many of which had been 
made by the Mormons, by burying kegs of powder in the ground, 
with a man stationed at a distance to pull a string communicating 
with the trigger of a percussion lock affixed to the keg. This 
kind of contrivance was called by the Mormons a 'hell's half 
acre.' "When the posse arrived in the city, the leaders of it 
erected themselves into a tribunal to decide who should be forced 
away and who remain. Parties were dispatched to hunt for 
Mormons' arms and for Mormons, and to bringthem to judgment, 
where they received their doom from the mouth ofBrockman, 
who then siit a grim and unawed tyrant for the time. As a general 
rule, the Mormons were ordered to leave within an hour, or two 
hours; and by rare grace, some of them were allowed until next 
day, and in a few cases, longer. The treaty specified that the 
Mormons only should be driven in exile. 

"Nothing was said in it concerning the new citizens, who had 
with the Mormons defended the city. But the posse no sooner 
had obtained possession, than they commenced expelling the new 
citizens. Some of them were ducked into the river, being in one 
or two instances actually baptised in the name of the leaders of 
the mob, others were forcibly driven into the ferry boats to be 
taken over the river, before the bayonets of armed ruffians ; and 
it is believed that the houses of most of them were broken open 
and their furniture stolen durinc: their absence. Manv of these 



1)4 HISTORY OF m'uONOUUII COUNTY. 

new settlers were strangers in t*he country from various parts of 
the United States, who were attracted there by the low price of 
property, and they knew but little of previous difficulties, or the 
merits of the quarrel. They saw with their own eyes that the 
Mormons were industriously preparing to go away, and they 
knew of their own knowledge that an etiort to expel them with 
force was gratuitous and unnecessary cruelty. They had been 
trained, b}^ the States from whence they came, to abhor mobs, 
and to obey the law, and they volunteered their services under ex- 
ecutive authority, to defend their town and their property against 
mob violence, and as they honestly believed from distraction. 
But in this way they were partly mistaken, for although the mob 
leaders, in the exercise of unbridled power, were guilty of many 
enormities to the person of individuals, and although much per- 
sonal property was stolen, yet they abstained from materially in- 
juring houses and buildings. The most that was done in this way, 
was the stealing of the doors and the sash of the windows from 
the houses by somebody. The anti-Mormons allege that they 
were carried away by the Mormons, and the Mormons aver that 
the most of them -were stolen by the anti-Mormons. Thus 
ended the Mormon war. 

The following is a list of names of those wdio were out from 
this county : • 

E, B. Root, Colonel ; Levi Warren, Lieut. Colonel; V. E. Rem- 
ington, Major; Joseph Shnte, Wagoner; S. McFarland, Adju- 
tant; H. Gilfrey, Sergeant Major; Thos. Gilfrey, Quartermaster 
Sergeant; Wm. Duncan, Quartermaster Sergeant; Dr. IL G. 
Ayer, Surgeon. 

Captains. — Chas. Creel, A. P. Smith, James M, Wilson, Chas. 
W. Waddill, Wm. S. Hendricks, A^andever Banks, Samuel C. 
Hogan, William I. Pace, F. D. Lipe, B. Maxwell, John Long, 
Wm. F. Blandin, Thomas Davis, J, L. X. Hall. 

Lieutenants. — Joseph Crawford, Peter McClure, J. L. Cross, 
I. C. Webb, ILarry R. Ilolden, John Baker, Thomas Shippey, 
John Smith, John R. Edmondson, H. II. Burr, Milton L. Archer, 
Patrick Laughlin, Thomas Mustain, Richard Brightwell, William 
Edmondson, I. L. Twyman, James S. Palmer, Absolom Parker, 
William B. Clarke, Bethel Owen, Philetus Rice, J. C. D. Carmack, 
Jonathan L. Berry, Andrew Alison, George C. Vest, John C. 
Webb, Y . M. Ilardin, A. Dorothy, Perry Langford, Harrison 
Hungate, Joseph P. Gates. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTV. 95 

Privates. — Ileuiy Thompson, John Creel, John W. Clarke, 
G. E. Robinson, Silas Creel, David Ilogsett, William Brooking, 
E. Brooking, Levi Hamilton, James R. Simpson, Ross Penan, 
Harper McCandless, James Kepple, John S. Campbell, Hugh 
Ervin, John Snapp, D. M. Crabb, Jonathan Palmer, "William 
Hamilton, Garret Bonham, Thomas Davis, George Vanhowten, 
George Nichols, George W. Wade, J. H. Michael, Durham Creel, 
Valentine Clayton, IS'icholas Bowman, Rutherford McClure, Cal- 
vin Canote, William Stephens, Thomas K. Waddle, John Craw- 
ford, Charles Kepple, Andrew Walker, John Bishop, Ephraim 
Banning, John Stokes, P. Hamilton, D. R. Hamilton, Michael 
Harris, William M. McCartney, John Jackson, George Boothe, 
Wiley M. Sloan, William Stewart, O. H. Casley, S. A. Hunt, 
C. W. Dunsworth, Patrick Aber, Lewis Mourning, Richard Mus- 
son, Abraham Stephens, Joseph Riley, Thomas J. Hunt, Shad 
Goan, William Boyd, Peter Dye, Edmond Bean, Thomas White, 
John J. Lower, Luke Prentice, James Chamberlain, Levi Done, 
Isaac Bacon, William Stroud, Eliphate Jarvis, J. L. Cross, Wil- 
liam B. Walker, J. M. Head, G. S. Hainline, J. K Clark, R. J. 
Scott, G. W. Head, John S. Wilson, William B. Head, H. IL 
McGee, Robert Garheart, James Dye, A. J. Walker, Stephen 
White, Eli Campbell, W. W. Clayton, William Lower, Silas 
Parker, Samuel M. Not, James Stroud, Abraham Fulkerson, 
James Wilson, William B. Clarke, John Rollina, A. D. McBride, 
J. W. Walker, George Painter, Samuel McCra}^ Samuel Bland, 
George Head, J. B. Stapp, A. G. Haineline, Grin Chatterton, 
Jacob Strickle, Michael Youst, J. Mitchell, G. W. Eyres, J. H. 
Head, Nathan Hainline, Samuel Clark, Frank Clarke, Nelson 
Montgomery, S. H. Gillihan, C. W. Fulkerson, William Owens, 
Hugh McDonough, David Badger, Jonathan Parker, Allen Por- 
ter, Asa Decker, Elias Clem, Andrew Jackson, Thomas Jackson, 
Bartlett Whittington, William Gibson, William Badger, Corne- 
lius McDonough, John C. Conants, Nathaniel Barker, Ambrose 
G. Owen, James Moore, Lewis Scalf, George Crossier, Charles 
Jackson, Peter McDonough, David Kepple, R. G. King, John 
Badger, Roswell Tyrrell, William Grafton, Ladwick Courier, 
Matthew Franiel, C. G. Gilchrist, B. B. Jackson, William 
Ervin, D. Boyd, James Rigdon, John Twidwell, Isham 
Rigdon, Josiah Ralston, John Smith, Lsaac Garrett, H. Garrett, 
Isaac Smith, Henry Garrett, II. Melton, Allen Melton, Bird Smith, 
John B. Wear, Joseph D. Wear, AV. Melton, Andrew D. Wear, 



96 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Augustus Lillarcl, James Hendricks, David Jenkins, Reuben Alex- 
ander, John Kennedy, Soloman Kennedy, John Hill, Levi Sawyer, 
Nicholas Jarvis, Isaac Howell, Isaac Welch, N. C. Averell, V. A. 
Caldwell, Thomas J. Caldwell, G. W. Welch, J. K.Welch, Jeflerson 
AVelch, B. J. Welch, H. J. Averill, John James, William Car- 
mack, Henry Carmack, Moses Stookey, William Walker, Rufus 
Botts, N. B. Wooley, James Williams, Othias He Haven, James 
Dorothy, Jessie Hainline, Hiram Hainline, John Logan, Jr., Wil- 
liam Martin, Henry Martin, Joshua White, William Hardestry, 
James Milsaps, James Seybold, Henry IL Monarch, E. T. Mon- 
arch, Isaac Bogart, Jacob Hutchinson, Jacob Keithley, C. C. 
Hungate, A. G. McCord, William McCord, James Jarvis, Slocura 
Wooley, Roily Martin, Charles Martin, Moses Haskins, Beta Has- 
kins, John Caldwell, Oliver C. Smith, S.M. C. Pennington, Robert 
Andrews, Henry W. Foster, James F. Greenup, Thomas Richard- 
son, Anson Richardson, Martin Miles, William WadcTIe^ Robert 
Comer, Cyrus Wing, Clem Reddick, James McKee, John W. 
Lane, James Fulton, James McC'urdy, Jonas Hushaw, Elam 
Chockley, Watson Chockley, Benjamin Chockley, Richard Chock- 
ley, Isom J. David, William Toland, Thomas Toland, George 
Woods, Randolph Hall, John Seward, D. Sandritlge, Thomas 
Bailey, John P. Kinkade, George W. Shultz, Walter Scott, James 
H. Atkinson, Edmond Cave, Jerry Sullivan, James Walker, John 
Allison, Nelson Campbell, Samuel Pollock, T. W. Greenup, Wil- 
liam Henley, Alfred Ripitow, Benjamin Miller, Jessie Jeams,Ghol- 
son Lane, Elisha Dungan, Jessie Beck, William Beck, G. W. 
Coker, William Sullivan, Alfred Gibson, James Gibson, William 
Rice, Robert Smithers, John Hushaw, Johnson Downer, Joel 
Pennington, Lewis Springer, Fountain C. Tomberlin, Travis 
Miller, A. J. Cockeram, John J. AVyatt, Xathan Hayes, B. T. 
Gibson, Wesley Harlan, Robert Black, William B. Peak, James 
Rasor, David Later, Edmond Naylor, Jeremiah Sullivan, Hugh 
Black, Robert L. Dark, Samuel McClnre, Morton Pringle, Wil- 
liam S. Bailey, D. C. Riggs, Edmond Barber, William II. Pringle, 
John McCormick, Nicholas Edmondson, Shad. Campbell, Isaac 
McCowen, Benjamin Stephen, John Friend, Robert Barber, Archi- 
bald Edmondson, Thomas Dungan, George W. Mitchell, William* 
W. McCormick, Francis Wayland, Joel Wayland, Francis Rice, 
Thomas Allison, Andrew Allison, G. C. Lane, Anderson Cannon, 
Jessie Niece, Henry Perry, Alexander Provine, John Fletcher, 
William Walker, Jacob Massingil, Nathan Stephens, Joseph 



HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGH COUNTY. 97 

Bailey, Elijah Stephens, Israel Camp, ,h\, John Barrett, William 
.[. Despain, William Gahagan, Jonathan Comar, T. B. McCor- 
miek, Xathan Scott, John E. Jackson, William Lovely, George 
W. Kiece, L. M. Hobart, James Perry, George Hume, A. H. Rut- 
ledge, David Scott, Joseph Haines, Isaac Fugate, John W. Fugate, 
Jacob Morgan, Thomas Shoopman, Jacob S. Matthews, Edward 
Dixon, B. Mason, V>. B. Edmondson, John G. Stoneking, Thomas 
E. Smedley, J. J. Smedley, Caleb Husted, John Bundridge, H. V. 
Craig, Samuel Calvin, Robert Clugston, John McCoy, G. W. Shoop- 
man, Carrol Lane, John Wilson, Jr., William Venard, C. Pruit, 
William T.Wells; J. C. Yawter, William Shannon, Russell Riggs, 
John E. Riggs, John Xankeville, William Thompson, Charles 
Patrick, M. C. Archer, Nathan Dunsworth, James Dunsworth, 
Thomas Hunt, Amos Gibson, Arch. Holstein, Robert McCumse}', 
AVashington Owens, John Patrick, Samuel Dark, John Ferguson, 
J. Q. McClure, Robert Archer, Robert Hall, G. A. Tayl, William 
Parks, George A^euard, Peter Riggs, John B. Case, Nimrod Dus- 
kill, James C. Archer, Jacob Waimac, William T. Archer, John I. 
Foster, William W. Wilson, John Criep, A. J. Edmonston, James 
McPeters, William Owens, J. J. Mathews, Samuel Wilson, 
William Ellis, Hugh B. Smiley, John Monk, Samuel Haney, N. 

B. Hardin, B. Past, Sanford Past, Jasper Twichell, Joseph Over- 
ton, G. Hainline, John Ledgerwood, John Purdy, J. II. Hughes, 
Jacob Humbert, Francis McSpirit, Smith Haines, J. II. Baker, A. 

C. Bristow, Reuben Harris, Daniel Duncan, D. Bristow, Sylvester 
Ruddle, Wesley Langford, Preston Anderson, H. Mayhew, James 
Peak, Robert Dorothy, Lewis Past, J. E. Lansdown, Lorenzo 
Twichell, D. F. ALartin, S. Stewart, G. G. Guy, William Scott, J. 
Rollins, William Humbert, William Stickles, Allen Bland, H. S. 
Head, Hiram Bellew, William D. Mustain, Robert Kellison, 
William J. Epperson, James D. Eads, E. F. Randall, Xathan 
Ferris, James P. Birtland, Thomas Speaks, C. A. Brown, AVilliam 
E. Duncan, Joseph Duncan, William Wilson, Simeon Everett, 
H. G Woodside, John Hall, Francis McKay, John L. Charter, 
Henry Dorothy, Redmond Grigsby, Silas Grigsby, David Alton, 
Henry Alton, Hugh Conner, John Hagerty, William Moss, 
George Bughman, Philetus Knight, John Bowman, Jonathan 
Charter, A. L. Bryant, B. B. Head, Ephraim Hammer, Squire 
Charter, John T. Mustain, Samuel Dunlap, James Ward, James 
Grigsby, William Grigsby, Adonijah Ilungate, Dotson Scybold, 

H— 7 



98 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUxVTY. 

John Vance, Isaac Harris, Alva Alton. John Huston, John Dun- 
can, John L. Gordon, Alexander McCullin, John Gilfrey, Sr., 
JSTorman Davis, John T. Gilfrey, N". Ilerrin, C. A. Lavs^son, G. A. 
Farwell, N. Montgomery, T. B. Maury, V. H. Walker, Merritt A. 
Russell, William L. Broaddus, G. W. Smith, Joseph Long, R. 
H. Broaddus, Samuel S. Whitmire, Joshua Conrad, J. M. Martin, 
Thomas Pickett, James Cannon, J. P. Head, David Lawson, 
Manva Perry, William H. Randolph, J. P. Updegraff, W. H. 
Kendrick, John Lowry, T. J. Beard, Andrew Lewis, J. E. Wyne, 
T. M. Luster, Milton Sweeney, B. F. Martin, John L. Anderson, 
X. McElrath, C. M. Dutfee, W. H. Kyle, Thomas Adcock, William 
S. Hail, G. W. Watt, William H. Phelps, Henry Towls, William 
B. Gordon, Martin Read, James B. McCartney, John Wiley, C. 
W. Dallam, Marshall Rogers, Wesley Freeland, William Ervin, 
R. M. Bonham, Thomas McElrath, James Walker, James Ander- 
son, Richard Rowley, Logan Kyle, Daniel D. Rail, J. C. Roberts, 
Robert Cannon, James B. Kyle, S. C. Watson, James Martin, 
John Harrow, Samuel McKamy, J. O. C. Wilson, Abner Walker, 
J. H. Updegraff, Theodore Laughlin, B. R. Hampton, Charles 
Chandler, Michael Martin, Robert H. Broaddus, William F. 
McCandless, R. F. Anderson, Joseph Bailey, Gowen Decamp, 
Daniel Courtwright, Joseph W. McDonald, William Courtwright. 
O. C. Cannon, R. A. Brazelton, Charles Dunn, R. Garrett, Daniel 
Sullivan, John M. Sullivan. 

The following is a copy of an original pass now in the posses- 
sion of Mrs. Charles R. Hume : 

Cabthage, June 23, 1844. 
Permit Joseph L. Blandin to pass and repass to and from Nauvoo, and to bring from 
thence his son Joseph C. Blandin without molestation. 

THOS. FORD, 
Governor and Commander in Chief. 
Also furnish those persons to bring any of their property with them. 

THOS. FORD, 
Governor and Commander in Chief. 



HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGH COUNTY. 99 



CHAPTER X. 

A NEWSPAPER AND A RAILROAD. 

In the spriug of 1844, occurred the greatest fall of water ever 
known in the western country. The Mississippi river was higher 
than ever known before or since. All the streams in the county 
were over their banks; but little planting was clone and not a 
halt crop raised. B, R, Hampton, Esq., before the rains began 
to fall went to Ohio on a visit. Returning, he left the boat at 
Frederick, but could secure no conveyance to this county, and was 
therefore compelled to return on foot. The few bridges in the 
county were all washed away or covered with water : even small 
streams like Kill Jordan were too high to ford. Mr. H. was com- 
pelled to strap his clothes upon his back and swim across each. 

In 1847, a State election was held for members of the Constitu- 
tional Convention, which convention prepared and submitted to 
the people a new constitution which was adopted by a large major- 
ity. By this constitution, in place of the County Commissioners' 
Court, a County Court was organized in each county. This court 
consisted of a County Judge, and if the legislature saw proper to 
so order it, two Associate Justices. This the legislature favorably 
acted upon. 

The last meeting of the County Commissioners' Court was held 
September 3 — 8, 1849, Joel Pennington, C. C. Hungatc, and 
Samuel Calvin being members, all of whom were present. After 
the transaction of such business as properly came before them, 
they adjourned "until court in course," but never re-assembled. 

On the third day of December, of the same year, the first regu- 
lar term of the County Court was held. The duties of this court 
in a legislative capacity, were precisely the same as those of the 
County Commissioners' Court. The court itself consisted of a 



100 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

County Judge and two Associate Justices. In addition to the 
legislative powers, the members of this court were permitted to 
exercise judicial authority, having all the rights and privileges 
of Justices of the Peace, together Avith all probate business. Hon. 
James Clarke was elected the first County Judge to serve four 
years. The first Associate Justices were Charles K. Hume and 
C. C. Hangate, Blandinsville. Ko business was transacted at this 
first term, save the allowance of a few bills and the appointment 
of viewers to view and locate certain roads. The court was in 
session three days. 

In 1851 the subject of a railroad was extensively agitated in 
this county. A charter had been granted by the State for the 
building of the Northern Cross Railroad, running from Meredosia 
to Springfield. It was proposed, under the provisions of this 
charter, to build a branch of this road through McDonough Coun- 
ty, having its terminus at Clayton, in Adams county. The ter- 
minus was afterwards changed to Quincy. 

In the fall of this year George W. Smith and Theodore L. 
Terry started a paper in Macomb called the McDonough Inde- 
pendent. This sheet proposed to be "independent in all things ; 
jieutral in nothing," and was edited with considerable ability by 
George W. Smith, the senior proprietor. Mr. Smith was a whole- 
souled, jovial fellow, and withal a talented man — himself his 
worst enemy. In the files of this paper, now in possession of J. 
M. Campbell, Esq., to which we had access, there are flashes of 
wit equal to any "take oft'" of George D. Prentice, the Danbury 
man, or other wit of modern times. Mr. Smith came to an un- 
timely end by a fall from the fourth story window of a hotel in 
Hannibal, Missouri, about the year 1864 or 1865. The paper had 
an existence of about four years and a half. The last year it re- 
nounced " independency " and became a firm supporter of the 
Democratic party; but, in consequence of a disagreement be- 
tween Mr. S. and some of the leaders of that party in the county,, 
patronage was withdrawn from him and the paper ceased to ex- 
ist. During the days of railroad excitement it was a consistent 
and earnest advocate of the road, and did much in influencing 
the people in its favor. The following we copy from it under 
date of October 10, 1851: 

'-'■ Raiiroads . — Reader, steam is up ! The people of the county of 
McDonough want and will have a railroad. The age is progress- 
ive, and they must keep up. Our neighbors all around us are 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 101 

* ridiii' on a rail,' and we must enjoy the same means of locomo- 
tion. The prairies have been trackless, but they shall remain so no 
longer, come what may we are bound to have a railroad. A rail- 
road ! what an invention ! what a blessing ! See yon ' iron horse,' 
w^ith his nostrils breathing tire, his long and shaggy mane, in the 
«hape of smoke, streaming far behind, while in his might and 
strength, with his ' train' in the rear, becomes careering through 
yon ' neck of timber,' now over that creek, now across the prairie, 
now again in timber, until in half the time it has taken us to 
write it, here he is in Macomb, brought up ' all standing,' 
with his freight of bachelors and babies, married men and mules, 
ladies and live stock, dry goods and Dutch ! Oh, what a rumpus, 
what a din ! But still what a t/wig a railroad is. 

"But to be serious. What is to be done in regard to the pro- 
posed road from Quincy to Macomb, and from here toGalesburg? 
The time for stopping to consider the policy of such an enterprise 
has passed away; and the benefits to be derived from such a means 
of communication are held to be too self-evident to need any addi- 
tional argument advanced in their favor, for who, say we, cannot 
eee in the advanced price of land, in the advantage of a ready 
market, in the increased facilities of communication, in the spread 
of general intelligence, in the cheapened and quickened mode of 
transportation, a sufficient inducement to wish such an undertak- 
ing success, and say that its benefits are beyond dispute ? Perhaps 
the facts of these truths being so plain and undeniable, has led to 
the lethargy and inaction of our people. But we must awake 
from our stupor ; measures must be taken for the securing of stock, 
of having the county become a stockholder to a liberal amount; 
of getting individuals, who need only the solicitation of some ac- 
tive friend of the road, to become deeply interested in its comple- 
tion. Then, friends of the road, be up and doing ; farmers of Mc- 
Donough, your interests are at stake, see that you neglect them 
not; merchant and mechanic, your welfare, too, is bound up in 
this scheme — with it will come your prosperity, without it you 
must lose immensely! Then, again say we, let us all at work ! 
Let our untiring zeal and determined efforts show that we desire 
what we need, and must have A Railroad." 

Meetings were held for the purpose of creating an interest in 
the proposed railroad. On Wednesday evening, Xovember 5th, 
1857, Hon. Calvin A. Warren, of Quincy, and General J)arnell, 
of Hancock county, addressed the citizens of Macomb upon this 



102 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

important subject. A committee was appointed to confer with 
the directors of the road, and at an adjourned meeting the next 
evening it was resolved to ask the County Court to appoint an 
election at some suitable time, at which the people could vote on 
the question of taking stock in the road to the amount of fifty 
thousand dollars. At another meeting held December 1, sub- 
stantially the same proposition was adopted, and on the second 
day of December, Hon. B. R, Hampton appeared before the 
County Court and presented the following resolution : 

liesolred, That we respectfully request the Honorable County Court in and for the 
County of McDonough and State of Illinois, to submit to the people of said county a 
proposition to vote for or against the County of McDonough taking stock to the amount 
of fifty thousand dollars in the proposed railroad from Clayton to Galesburg, and that 
they be solicited to fix upon the third Monday in the month of March, A. D., 1852, for 
the purpose of taking said vote. 

The Court thereupon made the following order : 

Therefore it is ordered by the Court that the said proposition be submitted to the 
citizens of McDonough as requested in said resolution, and that the Clerk of this Court 
order an election to be held at the several election precincts in said county, on the 
thii'd Monday in the month of March next, to take the vote of the county for and 
against the county taking stock in said railroad to the amount of fifty thousand dollars ; 
and that the Clerk issue the notices of said election in the time and manner required by 
law ; and that said election be held and conducted in all respects as other general and 
special elections required by the statutes are held and conducted. It is further ordered 
that the resolutions and proceedings of said meetings be filed by the Clerk. 

The work now began in earnest. lion. James M. Campbell, 
Dr. J. B. Kyle, B. R. Hampton, J. B. UpdegrafF, L. H. AVaters, 
and others favorable to the road, at once began the canvass. Mr. 
Campbell and Dr. Kyle travelled together, making speeches in 
nearly every school house in the county. Being in the dead of 
winter, travel was almost impossible, and had to be done upon 
horseback. Still they were undaunted, and bound to secure the 
road, if possible. The opponents of the road were not idle in the 
meantime, but used every means in their power to influence the 
people against it. 

At a meeting held in Industry, addressed by Dr. Kyle and Mr. 
Campbell, an opportunity was given in which to hear objections, 
when the Hon. Cyrus Walker boldly took a stand against the 
road, and, not content with that, followed the gentleman to Ben- 
nington's Boint, and in a speech of an hour's length, endeavored 
to show the fallacies of the arguments advanced in favor, and 
made many objections against the proposed improvement. The 
recollection of the gigantic failures of the State in its system of 



HISTORY OF m'donough county. 103 

public improvement had not been forgotten, and Mr. Walker 
endeavored to show what might be the consequence should our 
county be so unwise as to vote the proposed aid. In answer to 
this plea, Dr. Kyle stated it reminded him of the story of the old 
woman who sent her little girl out to attend the fire in the old- 
fashioned brick oven, while she prepared the dough for baking. 
Not returning, the mother became alarmed and went out to look 
for her. The fire was burning brightly in the oven, but no child 
Avas to be seen. Hearing a cry of distress around the other side 
of the house, the alarmed mother hastened to the place, supposing 
her child to be in great danger. iShe found her weeping bitterly, 
and hastily inquired: "My daughter, what is the matter? " "O, 
mother, " said she, " I was just thinking if I was a great big 
woman, just like you, and was married, and had a little girl, just 
like me, and while I was in the house making bread, I should 
send her out to fix the fire, and she should come out, with a smile 
upon her face, and crawl right into the fire, and get all burned up, 
what a terrible thing it would be ! " 

At another meeting held in Industry, as an illustration show- 
ing the flimsiness of the opposition against railroads and other 
improvements, the doctor told how certain Germans and others 
living on the line of a proposed canal opposed it on the ground 
that they had a large amount of money invested in horses and 
wagons, and if the canal should be built, there would be no em- 
ployment for them. The canal was built, and they found they 
could obtain just as much employment as before, and at better 
prices. Mr. Walker, in reply, spoke of the doctor taking to water, 
and boasted of driving him into the Miami canal, and stated that 
he would acknowledge that canals were a public benefit, but not 
so railroads. He was then asked why it was that no canals were 
now being built and railroads were being constructed throughout 
the whole land. This was not answered. 

At a public meeting in Macomb, held in the Court House, Mr. 
AValker remarked that he had been informed by a couple of 
prominent merchants in the town that one train of cars could 
carry away all the surplus products of McDonongh County, raised 
in one year, or that David Rail and Harry Perry, two well known 
teamsters in the town, could likewise remove all its surplus pro- 
duce, carry it forty miles to a market and return with all the mer- 
chandise required by the inhabitants. Such being the case, said 
Mr. W., what use have we for a railroad ; of what benefit will it 



104 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

be ? He farther stated if the audience desired to know the names 
of the two merchants he could give them; they were Jonathan 
H. Baker and John W. Westfall. Mr. Baker was a very strong 
opponent of the road, and in March 1852, contributed an article 
to the McDonough Independent relating a pretended conversation 
overheard in the Post Office between Farmer Bangs and one of 
the committee appointed to canvass the county in aid of the pro- 
posed road, in which the farmer has the best of the argument, of 
course. 

At Blandinsville one of the speakers compared this section of 
country, with its unsurpassed soil, its line timber and abundance 
of coal, with the country between Chicago and Galena, the latter 
country having a railroad, the former none. In one year from the 
time the railroad was completed betw^een Chicago and Galena the 
country lying along its route increased in population three hun- 
dred per cent., and in wealth four hundred per cent., and asked if 
it could be accounted for in any other way than on account of her 
railroads. Del. Martin, a prominent citizen of the place, suggested 
it might be on account of that country being settled by the Yan- 
kees. Ever afterward the speaker made good use of Mr. Martin's 
reply to his question. When in a neighborhood composed prin- 
cipally of those emigrating from the South, he would ask them if 
they would acknowledge such a conclusion was correct. " Have 
these Yankees," said he, " more enterprise than you? Is that the 
way you account for this prosperity ? No, sir ; it all results from 
their having the advantages afforded by a railroad." When in a 
Yankee settlement, he would ask them if they could not see the 
force of Mr. Martin's reply. "These Yankees," said he, " under- 
stand fully the laws of trade, and naturally go where they will be 
sure of a good market for their products. In this they show their 
shrewd, common sense. Will you not follow and profit by their 
example ?" 

As the day of election drew near, those favoring the road were 
fearful of the result. The county had not been thoroughly can- 
vassed, and the people were slow to vote aid for any purpose. If 
the question could be brought fairly and squarely before them in 
order that they might see the advantages to be derived in the 
building of the proposed road, there could be no doubt of secur- 
ing a majority of votes in aid of its construction. It was therefore 
resolved by friends to secure, if possible, a postponement of the 
election. A petition to that effect was })resented to the County 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 105 

Court, and that body, on the sixth day of March, 1852, revoked 
their former order for an election on the third Monday in that 
month, and made order for an election Saturday, May 2'J, for or 
against taking $50,000 stock in the Northern Cross Railroad. 

Renewed efforts were now made by the friends of the road, 
who worked day and niglit, for its success. As a result there were 
817 votes cast for, and 644 against issuing the bonds, a majority 
in its favor of 173. The McDonough Independent, in speaking 
of this vote, says : " It may not be generally known that old 
McDonough polled 200 more votes than an at any former election. 
This vote should stimulate to action every citizen of McDonough, 
for it is a sure and certain index of the growing prosperity of our 
county. We venture the prediction that in ten years from this 
date we will, in number, almost double the vote just polled. 
' So, look out for the cars when the bell rings.' " This prediction 
was more than fulfilled in eight years, viz: In 1860 the vote of 
the county was 4,638, or more than three times the number in 
1852. This shows the value of the road. 

A year or more passed away, and still no road. Its friends 
were almost in despair, and its enemies jubilant — the soothing 
phrase, " I told you so," was repeated over and over again to the 
friends of the road until it became almost monotonous. The dif- 
ficulty in securing eastern capital was the only impediment in the 
way — capitalists c^ould not realize it would be for them a judicious 
investment. The President of the road, Hon. IST. Bushnell, made 
repeated visits east to secure this aid, but without success. The 
first contract made by the road with this county was to the effect 
that, in its corporate capacity, it should subscribe $50,000 to its 
stock, issuing therefor its bonds, having thirty years to run, and 
bearing six per cent interest. We presume arrangements were 
made with other counties on the proposed line of the road upon 
the same conditions. Mr. Bushnell found it utterly impossible to 
obtain money to complete the road upon such terms. The ques- 
tion now arose as to what should be done. Must the road be al- 
lowed to fail ? Its friends said " Xo ; " its enemies said, " How 
can you help it?" Individual subscriptions to the amount of 
S52,500 had been secured in this county for the building of the 
road, thus showing that our citizens felt a great interest in the 
success of the enterprise. It must be borne in mind that at this 
time there was not to exceed 8,000 inhabitants in the county, and 
they were of the poorer class, and to them this was a large sura. 



106 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Armugemeiits were finally made with eastern capitalists upon 
conditions thought favorable by Mr. Bushnell, and upon the 
twenty-ninth da}' of June, 1853, at a meeting of the Board of 
Directors of the road, held in the city of Quincy, the following 
resolutions were passed and certified to the County Court of 
McDonough County, at a special session held in Macomb, July 6, 
1853: 

Itenolccd. That in locating and constructing the Raih-oad from Quincy to Galesburg, 
the faith of the Company is hereby jjledged that the location shall Ije so made as to 
make Macomb, in McDonough County, a point on the line. 

Resolved, That in case McDonough County will, in its corporate capacity, in lieu of the 
$50,000 already voted, subscribe !f 7.5,000 to the capital stock of the Company, payable 
in bonds bearing eight per cent interest, the Company will agree to pay until the road is 
put in operation the whole distance from Quincy to Galesburg, all the interest which may 
accrue on said bonds, over and above the $3000 annual interest which would accrue on 
the bonds already voted, so that no additional tax will l)e required in consequence of this 
increase of the County subscription. The interest thus advanced and paid by the Com- 
pany to be hereafter refunded out of the surplus dividends which may be declared on the 
County stock, after providing for the interest thereafter accruing on the bonds. 

The Board thereupon passed the following order : 

Whekeas, by an act of the Legislature of the State of Illinois entitled '"An act supple- 
mental to 'An act entitled an act, to provide for a general system of Railroad Incorpora- 
tions,' approved November G, 1849." The several counties in the State are authorized 
in the manner therein provided to subscribe to the cai^ital stock of any railroad compa- 
ny then organized or thereafter to be organized under any law of this State, to an 
amount not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars ; and whereas the Court has been 
requested by a large number of respectable citizens and voters of this county to take the 
necessary steps to procure the vote of this county, at the earliest practicable period for 
or against the subscription by the said county of seventy-five thousand dollars to the 
capital stock of the Northern Cross Railroad Company, for the purpose of aiding in the 
construction of the railroad of said company from the citj^ of Quincy on the Mississippi 
river, to the town of Galesburg, in Knox county. 

And Whereas, it is the opinion of this Court, and es they believe a large majority of 
the citizens and voters of the county, that the early completion of said railroad is of 
paramount importance for the future growth, improvement, and prosperity of the county : 
and that it is their interest and duty, to aid by all reasonable means and to the extent of 
their ability, in raising the means necessary to secure the success of this imjiortant en- 
terprise. 

It is therefore by the Court ordered, unanimously, that Isaac Grantham, Esq., the clerk 
of this Court, be directed to give such notice as shall be lawful of an election, to be held 
in the usual place of voting in the several precincts of said county on Saturday the twen- 
tieth day of August, A. D. 18,')3, for the purpose of ascertaining the wishes of citizens, 
voters of said county, in reference to the subscription of said county of seventy-five 
thousand dollars, to the capital stock of the Northern Cross Railroad Company ; for the 
purpose of aiding the construction of said railroad from Quincy to Galesburg ; said sub- 
scription to be paid in the bonds of said county at their par value : and payable twenty 
years after their respective dates to the Northern Cross Railroad Company, or bearer, 
with interest at the rate of eight per cent per annum ; payable semi-annually, according 
to interest coupons to be thereto annexed ; both jjrincipal and interest being payable in 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 107 

the city of New York ; and said bonds to be issued to the said railroad company from 
time to time in discharge of the regular assessments made on stock subscription, as 
they may fall due. Said election to conform to the provisions of the act mentioned in 
the foregoing preamble ; and to be held and conducted in other respects, and the votes 
counted and returns thereof made, by the judges and clerks of said election as in elec- 
tions for State and County officers. 

And it is also further unanimously ordered, that in case the citizens and voters of the 
county of said election, shall duly authorize a subscription by the county of the said 
seventy-five thousand dollars, to the capital stock of said railroad company, for the pur- 
poses aforesaid, that the former vote of the county to subscribe fifty thousand dollars to 
the stock of said company, shall thereby be revoked, cancelled, and annulled. 

The friends of the road went immediately to work, the result 
being, when the vote was counted upon the evening ot August 
20, there were eleven hundred and forty-five votes for and two hun- 
dred and eighty-five against the stock. The city of Quincy, but a 
few days before, by a vote of eleven hundred and thirty-two to 
three, voted an additional $100,000, making a total amount for 
that city of $200,000. 

In the fall of 1855 theiron horse made its first appearance in the 
county, and by January, 1856, the road was completed to Gales- 
burg, where connections were made with the Central Military 
Tract Railroad to Chicago. From this date McDonough county 
has continued to make rapid progress, and we are fully convinced 
that no one regrets the aid rendered, though by the foreclosure of 
the mortgage on the road the entire amount of stock taken by the 
county, and by individual citizens, was lost. Property advanced 
rapidly in price, emigration poured in, new farms were opened, 
and a market was obtained for all surplus produce raised. Else- 
where we give a resume of the business of the road since 1871 up 
to January 1, 1876, the Chicago fire destroying the books of the 
company previous to that date. 



108 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XI. 



HOME LIFE AND AMUSEMENTS. 



The manners and customs of our forefathers are always 
fraught with peculiar interest, and read of with pleasure and profit 
by all. If we compare the places of abode of our fathers with 
those of to-day, and the customs of those days with our own, we 
are apt to regard those of the past in an unfavorable light. But 
by outward appearance alone, things cannot safely be judged. 
Many things appear outwardly beautiful which inwardly are the 
reverse — " without are fair, within full of dead men's bones." 

We have not yet given a description of the dwellings of our 
fathers, so here goes. Imagine a house about sixteen feet square, 
seven and a half feet high, built up with large round or square logs, 
and covered with clapboards, held on by huge weight poles, the 
cracks in the walls filled with mud, which would occasionally fall 
out, when the wind would whistle merrily through the door (for 
there was but one) made of rough boards, with a wooden latch, 
the string of which always hung out, a sign of welcome to the 
weary traveler and the kind neighbor, and you have the exterior, 
■except that upon one side there was a small window, large enough 
for a sash containing six eight by ten lights, sometimes 
with glass in them, but often covered with greased paper. In the 
interior you will find upon one side the huge fire place, large 
€nough to contain a back log as heavy as any man would care to 
€arry, and holding enough wood to supply an ordinary stove a 
week ; on either side are hung pots and kettles, and over all a 
mantle, on which stands the tallow-dip, to " give light to all who 
are in the house," but which will hardly compare with the gas 
jets of this day; the " little brown jug," which was not so little, 
either, and generally well filled with a liquid which teetotalers 
decline ; in one corner the larger bed for the oldfolks, under 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUOII COUNTY. 109 

which the trundle bed tor the younger members of the family; in 
another corner stands the old-fashioned large spinning wheel, 
with a smaller one by its side; in another tlie pine table, on 
which three times a day the food of the family was placed, and 
which was rapidly taken therefrom by the individual members 
thereof; in still another may be seen the cumbersome loom; over 
the door hangs the ever-trustful rifle and powder horn, ready for 
instant use; while around the room are scattered a few splint-bot- 
tomed chairs and three-legged stools; a rude cupboard holding 
the glass and queensware completes the furniture — everything of 
the simplest and rudest manufacture. And yet these homes, 
simple and rude as they were, were inhabited by a kind and true- 
hearted people. They were strangers to mock modesty, and tha 
traveler seeking lodging for the night, or desirous of spending a 
few days in the community, if willing to accept the offerings of 
honest hearts, always found welcome. The people were industri- 
ous from dire necessity. All who were old enough were usefully 
employed. Children were inured to toil and labor — while the lot 
of the women was hard indeed. Upon them devolved the prep- 
aration of the daily food, and from a very scant larder ; they were 
required to weave the linen and woolsey, prepare the flax, cotton 
and wool with their own hands, making almost the entire ward- 
robe ot the family — some really doing it all. It was a life pecu- 
liarly trying and wearying to them, yet borne with patience and 
thankfulness. 

The family bible was another article found in almost every 
home, and the minister of the gospel appearing, the two served to- 
turn the thoughts of the people in the right direction. To these 
influences we ascribe in a great measure the prosperity of the 
county, and the better moral sentiment that has usually prevailed. 
Without such influence men would be barbarians; closely allied 
to this influence is a desire for knowledge that must be appeased. 
We therefore And the schoolteacher following closely in the wake 
of the minister, and schools were established in every neighborhood 
where a sufficient number of children could be brought together to 
warrant the services of an instructor. 

The cultivation of the flax was an important item with the 
early settlers ; cotton was raised to some extent, while sheep 
raising was never neglected. The entire clothing of many fami- 
lies was manufactured from these staple sources into cloth by the 
prudent and tireless housewife. 



110 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

The flax was often pulled by the women; and, after the seed 
had been thrashed out, was spread on the grass to rot; and, when 
rotted sufficiently, was bound in bundles and dressed ; that is, the 
flax and tow were separated. Scarcely any crop, while growing, 
was more beautiful than the flax. From one-halt to two bushels 
of seed was sown on an acre, and the crop amounted to about two 
hundred pounds. Cotton was less extensively raised, especially 
after the big snow of 1830, though many tamilies raised enough 
for their own use. 

Great trouble wa^ experienced for many years in the raising of 
sheep, on account of the great number of wolves that infested the 
country. But, notwithstanding this, enough wool was secured 
for home use. One article largely manufactured, was called 
^'linsey-woolsey." It was made of equal parts of cotton and 
wool, and colored according to the taste of the manufacturer. 
The exquisite shades and delicate colors shown in the dress goods 
of to-day were not observed in those times, our mothers being 
content with good, solid colors. 

There were few houses where the large and small spinning 
wheel and the cumbersome loom were not found, together taking 
up more room than all the rest of the furniture. Having all 
these implements and manufacturing so much of their own 
clothing, our fathers and mothers were almost independent of the 
rest of the world. To-day all this is changed. The buzz of the 
little spinning wheel, the whirr ot the larger ones, and the mo- 
notonous click of the loom are heard no more. They are ban- 
ished to the attic or given over to destruction. 

While our fathers and mothers toiled hard, they were not 
averse to a little relaxation, and had their seasons for fun and en- 
joyment. If they did not receive the oft-repeated visits of the 
theatrical or minstrel troupe, the wonderful magician, or the man 
with the " intelligent ants," they yet contrived to do something 
to break the monotony of their daily life and furnish them with 
a good hearty laugh. 

Among the more general forms oi amusements was the "quilt- 
ing bee," the corn-husking, or " corn-shucking," as generally 
called in this country, and the " apple-paring." Our young read- 
ers will doubtless be interested in a description of these forms of 
amusements, where labor was made to aftbrd fun and enjoyment 
to all participating. " Quilting-bee," as its name indicates, was 
where the industrious qualities of that busy little insect that 



HISTORY OF m'oonough county. Ill 

*' improves each shining hour " was exemplified in manufacturing 
quilts for the household. In the afternoon the ladies for miles 
around gathered at the appointed place, and while their tongues 
would not cease to play, their hands were busily employed in 
making the quilt, and a desire was always manifested to get it out 
as quickly as possible, for then the fun would begin. In the eve- 
ning the gentlemen came, and the hours would then pass swiftly 
by in playing some boisterous yet innocent game, or in the dance. 
"Corn-husking" was where both sexes united in the husking. 
They usually assembled in a large barn which was prepared for 
the occasion, and when each gentleman had selected a lady part- 
ner the husking began. When a lady found a red ear she was 
entitled to a kiss from every gentleman present ; if a gentleman 
found one he was allowed to kiss every lady present. This fea- 
ture of the general programme was particularly enjoyable, and 
a source of unlimited fun and frolic. After the corn was all 
husked the floor was cleared, the old violin brought out, tuned up, 
and the merry dance begun, usually lasting until " broad day 
light in the morning." 

"Apple-paring " often called the young folks together when 
the apples were pared for the winter's sauce. The same kind of 
sport was enjoyed after the supply was obtained, as in the case of 
husking and quilting bees. 

" The little brown jug" spoken of as having a place upon the 
mantle, was often brought into requisition, it affording a means 
of enjoyment that nothing else could supply. No caller was 
permitted to leave the house without an invitation to partake of its 
contents ; not to so invite was a breach of hospitality not to be 
thought of for a moment. It was brought out upon all conceiv- 
able occasions, and freely dispensed to old and young alike, with 
no thought of danger. It was a thing of prime importance in all 
the assemblages of men — at log rollings, huskings, house raisings, 
&c. It was essential at all births, and even at funerals. It has 
often seemed a great wonder to us that the entire country was not 
devoted to drunkenness, for in the early settlement of all its parts, 
the same universal custom prevailed. No one then seemed to 
think there could be danger ; now and then a drunkard was made, 
but he was more pitied for his misfortune than for his want of 
manhood or self-control; it was not the use but only the abuse 
of it that seemed wrong. It was thought impossible to work 



112 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

without it, and it was therefore always present, and the drunken 
broils occasioned by its use were soon forgotten. 

Hunting was a favorite pastime of the men. Game was killed 
more, however, for amusement than to supply the wants and 
necessities of their families. 

House-raisings furnished another occasion for assemblage and 
enjoyment. Buildings were then made of such massive timbers 
that it required a large force of men to erect them, which was 
was done solely by muscular power, all the appliances of modern 
inventions for this purpose being entirely ignored if not unknown. 
On these occasions liquor was always free to all present. These 
raisings were usually important events in every neighborhood, 
and people from far and near came to witness and enjoy them. 
Log-rolling was another mode of useful recreation. When a man 
had felled the timber on a considerable space of ground, covered 
as it was with a large growth, it was impossible for him, without 
aid, to get the logs together so as to burn them. He therefore 
made a log rolling and invited all his neighbors, who came, and 
with good will and strong muscles, brought the logs together, the 
work ending with a good supper and a social good time. 

Election days were observed as holidays. The men came to 
town, voted, drank whiskey, smoked, swore, wrestled and tough t, 
all for a little fun. 

Look as we may upon 1;he questionable amusements of the 
early times, we know that kind hearts, neighborly acts and 
universal good will for all mankind was a genuine passion, and 
therefore we forbear all criticisms. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOU(;H COUNTY 113 



CHAPTER XII. 



■VARIOUS MATTERS 



The crime of murder has been rare in this county ; in fact, we 
believe that in proportion to its population there has been less 
crime in McDonough than in any other county in the State. Oc- 
casionally we are shocked with the announcement of a terrible 
murder committed in our midst. This was true on the morning 
of the twenty-eighth day of May, 1854. On the evening before 
at about nine o'clock, the alarm was given that James Dye, a 
wealthy farmer living in the west part of the county on a farm 
known as the "Prentiss farm," was murdered. ISTeighbors of the 
deceased at once gathered, and an investigation was made, when 
it was discovered that Mr. Dye had been killed while lying in 
bed. An inquest was held upon the body by S. H. McCandless, 
the coroner of the county. After examining the body and care- 
fully investigating the matter, the jury returned a verdict that the 
deceased came to his death by violent and unlawful means ; by 
the hands of his own wife Rebecca, assisted by two accessories, 
David B. Burress and S. P. Ray, all of whom were immediately 
arrested and committed to the county jail to await a hearing be- 
fore the Circuit Court. 

On the tenth day of October following the grand jury of the 
county found a true bill of indictment against the above parties. 
The case being called in the Circuit Court, a continuance was 
granted until the next term of the court. At this term a change 
of venue was granted to David P. Burress, to Warren County, and 
Mrs. Dye, to Fulton county. A nolle prosequi was entered iu 
the case of Ray and he was discharged from custody. 

Mrs. Dye was duly tried at the April term of the Circuit Court 
of Fulton county, the trial lasting nine days. It was probably the 
H— 8 



114 HISTORY OF m'dONOUCtH COUNTY. 

most exciting one that ever took place in that county. The 
court room was crowded at every session, many ladies being con- 
stantly in attendance. The counsel for the people were Messrs. 
Goudy, of Fulton, Wheat, of Adams, and Schofield & Mack, ot 
Hancock. For the defense, Mrs. Dye secured the services of 
Messrs, Manning, of Peoria, Kellogg & Ross, of Fulton, and Cy- 
rus Walker, of McDonough. Probably a better array of coun- 
sel could not have been secured in the entire State of Illinois. 
They were all able men. 

William C. Goudj opened the case for the people, lie told the 
jury that they "were called upon to discharge the most solemn 
duty that ever devolved upon man, in the discharge of which in- 
volved the lile or death of a human being. The evidence they 
had to oft'er was purely circumstantial. ISlo living being was known 
who saw the inhuman crime committed. But circumstantial evi- 
dence, in many cases, was better than positive testimony — the 
guilty mind always acts inconsistent with its innocence, and this 
marks out its t.)wn accusation. This is one of God's marks upon 
crime. To hunt out, follow up, and arrest a criminal are its daily 
uses. By its aid the police of our cities are constantly bringing 
to light and arresting the perpetrators of evil deeds, who would 
otherwise continue their crimes unmolested The prisoner before 
you is indicted for the murder of her own husband. The deceased 
came to his death by a blow upon the head from an axe or ham- 
mer, or from a slung-shot in the breast, or from both. Three 
persons are named in the bill of indictment, but you have only to 
inquire as to the guilt of the prisoner before you. We expect to 
show acts and words between Burress and the prisoner that will 
show their connection with the murder, and bring to your mind 
uncontrovertable evidence of the prisoner's guilt. Should we do 
80, you have but one duty to perform, and that we shall expect at 
your hands." 

Cyrus Walker, for the defense, opened the cairc, and spoke sub- 
stantially as follows : " The arrangement has been made by the 
counsel for the defense that I should make the opening statement. I 
affree with the e-entlcmen that this is an important case. You, 
gentlemen, are to decide a momentous question. The Emperor of 
the Russias possesses no more power over the life of his subjects 
than you have over the life of that lady. Her life is in your hands. 
You can hang her up between the heavens and the earth, or you 
can send her home to her children, from whom she has been torn 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 115 

by the iron rule of the law. You must expect the case will be 
somewhat tedious ; the issues involved are such it cannot be other- 
wise. That woman before you, whose lite you hold in your hands, 
is accused ot an unnatural crime. The difference between murder 
and manslaughter has been fully and accurately stated to 3'^ou by my 
friend, and it is in your province to lind her guilty of either, if 
the evidence should thus convince you. Certainty, beyond 
a reasonable doubt, is required in all criminal cases — the law 
rejects preponderance. James Dye, the deceased, was a man be- 
tween seventy and eighty years of age. lie was married twice. 
13y his first wife he had twelve children. Six years ago he was 
married to the accused, by whom he had three children, one at 
the breast at the time of his murder. On Saturday, the twenty- 
seventh ot May last, he was found dead in his bed, shot through 
the breast, and his skull fractured just above the left eye. As is 
very natural in such a case, there was much anxiety to find out the 
perpetrators of the deed. Suspicion took the smallest circumstance 
and magnified it; and the natural disposition in every community 
to find out the cause — that restless, eager energy that seizes every 
point — directed attention toward the accused. I warn you, gentle- 
men, against such restless eagerness, against that suspicion that 
blights without investigation, and condemns without proof. There 
is no contest here, but as to who murdered Dye. James Dye was 
a large farmer, a hard working man. I am bound to do justice to 
the living. I must speak of the faults of the dead. The deceased 
was an honest, industrious man, but he sadly neglected the educa- 
tion of his children — their moral and intellectual trainino- was un- 
provided for ; while his great aim was to accumulate property. He 
had frequent quarrels with his sons, fights and law suits. These en- 
gendered a bitter feeling between them, which often led to vio- 
lence. After the old man's death, the boys were active to show the 
prisoner's guilt — they charged her with the murder and hinted 
of circumstances to cast suspicion upon her. The old man died 
intestate. There was a large dower coming to the prisoner. They 
had various motives to induce them to be forward in settling opin- 
ion against the accused. Knowing their previous quarrels, they 
sought to divert suspicion from themselves, and have sought every 
means to throw the guilt upon the prisoner. The prosecution has 
stated the rules of evidence. I wish only to add, as the enormity 
of the crime increases, so the character of the proof should be 
more certain. There never was a greater error committed than 



116 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

that from the pen of Dr. Paley, when he said that circumstantial! 
evidence could not lie. It was a tine theory, and having received 
the sanction of so great a mind, has been handed down as incon- 
trovertible. One ounce of sober sense upon such a point is better 
than the speculative wisdom of the world. Remember, you are 
not to enquire who murdered James Dye, nor, if she didn't, who- 
did? You are only to decide as to the prisoner's guilt." 

Some eighty or ninety witnesses had been summoned and were- 
duly examined. As outlined in the remarks of the attorneys,^ 
the prosecution endeavored to prove criminal intercourse, or at 
least criminal intentions, on the part of Burress and the accused ;: 
and that they might more surely and securely carry out their evil 
designs, it was necessary to get the old man out of the way. That 
they made a strong case against the accused cannot be denied. 
The defense, on the other hand, brought forward witnesses to 
prove the good character of their client, showing how she many 
times acted as peace-maker between the old man -and his sons; 
how the old man regarded her as worthy of all confidence, giving 
her all the money she wished for, and making her his " banker," 
as he said ; how that, in nature, he could live but a little while, 
and that his intention was to leave all his property to the accused 
and her children ; that the supposed facts, as set forth by the 
prosecution, was entirely inconsistent with the state of affairs as 
they existed. The case was ably argued on both sides. After 
being out fifteen hours the jury brought in a verdict of guilty, and 
sentenced the accused to five years in the penitentiary. It is said 
that on the first ballot the jury stood four for acquittal and 
eight for conviction, and the verdict, as given, was a compromise. 

Mrs. Dye was in due time removed to the State's prison, but on 
account of uniform good conduct, and on the recommendation of 
the Warden, she was pardoned long before the expiration of her 
term. As to her guilt or innocence, we are not prepared to judge ; 
suflice it to sa}^, that, on receiving her pardon, she returned to 
Macomb, where she resided for many years, enjoying, we believe, 
the respect of all who knew her. She died in the year 1874. 

The success attending the vote on the proposition of taking 
stock in the Northern Cross Railroad, and the certainty of its 
early completion, made the people enthusiastic on the subject of 
railroads, and the belief became general, that, with their aid, the 
county would become very wealthy and populous within a few 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 117 

years. Other railroads had been projected, and their companies 
■were desirous of running their lines so as to obtain the most money 
— a straight line being no object if a larger amount could be ob- 
tained by deviations. On the seventh day of December, 1855, a 
petition was presented to the County Court, praying that it be 
submitted to a vote for or against taking subscription to the cap- 
ital stock of the Wabash and Mississippi Eailroad to the amount 
•of $75,000. The prayer of the petitioners was granted, and a 
vote Avas ordered for the twenty-sixth day of January, 1856. The 
vote was taken, resulting in the defeat of the proposition. This 
did not dishearten the friends of the project, and on the seventh 
day of June another petition was presented, signed by a large 
number of voters, for the purpose of having submitted the prop- 
osition of voting aid to the amount of $100,000 to the Wabash 
& Mississippi and the Rock Island and Alton Eailroads, $50,000 to 
each. The pray.er of the petitioners was granted, (Silas J. Grigsby 
dissenting), and the election was ordered to be held on the 
fourth day of August. The conditions of the proposition to be 
voted on were that Macomb should be a point in both of the 
above named roads, and that no bonds should be issued until the 
roads were completed to Macomb. 

On the twenty-eighth day of June, at a special session of the 
County Court, Charles R. Hume, of Blandinsville, presented a 
petition, signed by a large number of citizens, praying that the 
Court would amend or change its former order, made on the sev- 
enth day of the present month, so as to make the towms of Blan- 
dinsville and Bushnell points in the Wabash and Mississippi Rail- 
roads, instead of Macomb. The prayer of the petitioners w^as 
refused. This led to the defeat of the proposed measures. 

On the sixth day of September still another petition was pre- 
sented to the Court, and an order made for voting on the proposi- 
tion of taking stock to the amount of $50,000 to the Rock Island 
and Alton Railroad on the same conditions as previously stated, 
viz : that Macomb should be made a point. The election, was 
held on the fourth day of Xovember, and was carried by a re- 
spectable majority. 

At a meeting of the County Court on the sixth day of Septem- 
ber, this same year, J. M. Clark and one hundred and thirty-six 
other legal voters of the county presented a petition praying that 
an order be made for an election to be held on the fourth day of 
November, that a vote might be taken upon the proposition of 



118 HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGH COUNTY. 

adopting the township organization law. The prayer of the peti- 
tioners was granted, the election held, resulting in a mnjoritj in 
favor of the adoption of the law. 

At the December term of the Court an order was made appoint- 
ing commissioners to divide the county into tow^ns, or townships, 
and Levi II. Bradbury, of Prairie City, Harrison Ilungate, of 
Blandinsville, and William R. Downen, of Industry, were ap- 
pointed. The commissioners reported, dividing the county as it 
at present stands, save Prairie City and Bushnell townships were 
then one and called by the former name. 

The old jail becoming too small, and inconvenient in many par- 
ticulars, the County Court decided upon building a new one. 
The contract was immediately let. Hector McLean taking the 
stone work, and W. O. Thomas & Co. the brick and wood work, 
and Ingram & Painter the painting. The total cost of the build- 
ing was about $3,500. We can not say much for it, it being a 
continual expense to the county every year. Prisoners broke out 
w^ithout trouble, necessitating an almost constant watch. As 
a general thing we can commend the wisdom of our County 
Board of Supervisors, they conducting the affairs of the county 
in a very prudent and economical manner, but in this respect 
their economy is not to be commended. Although we have 
not the figures at hand, we verily believe more money has 
been spent for repairs, guarding the jail, and re-capturing prison- 
ers, than would have built as tine a building as we have in the 
Military Tract. 

The old log-jail, in due time, by order of the Court, was sold by 
the Sheriff, the city of Macomb becoming the purchaser, for the 
sura of $275. It has been in use by the citj- ever since as a city 
prison, and is known as the old calaboose. 

On the eleventh day of April the County Court assembled for 
legislative purposes, for the last time. Present, Hon. Thompson 
Chandler, presiding judge ; Samuel Calvin and Silas J. Grigsby, 
Associates. The last order made by them was for ironing the new 
jail, after which they adjourned sine die, being succeeded by the 
Board of Supervisors. 

With reference to Burress, arrested for the murder of James 
Dye, his trial was never held. On the night of August 11, 1855, 
he escaped from the county jail, at Macomb, but returned, after 
an absence of about ten days, and gave himself up to the author!- 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 119 

ties. Oil the evening of the tenth of Xovomber, following, he 
again escaped. A reward of one hundred dollars was offered tor 
liis capture. He was traced to the State of Indiana, and a party 
went in pursuit of him, but when they reached the place where he 
was seen, he was gone, since which time he has never been heard 
from. A\^hether guilty of the crime charged against him will 
probably never be known. 



120 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



DIVISION OF THE COUNTY. 



The committee appointed for the purpose of dividing the county 
into townships reported in due time that they had performed that 
duty. By their report the county was divided into sixteen town- 
ship, having the following names : Eldorado, Industry, Eagle 
Town, Lamoine, Kcw Salem, Scotland, Erin, Tennessee, Mound, 
Macomb, Spring Creek, Kock Creek, Prairie City, Walnut Grove, 
Sciota, Blandinsville. The first election for township officers was 
held in April, 1857, and the Board of Supervisors held its first 
meeting May 11, 1857. At this meeting the name of Eagle Town 
was changed to Bethel ; Rock Creek to Hire ; Erin to Chalmers, 
and Spring Creek to Emmet. A petition was presented praying 
that the town of Prairie City be divided into two townships, but 
the prayer of the petitioners was refused. The following are the 
names and location of the various townships : 

Eldorado, 4 N., 1 W. ; Industry, 4 N., 2 W. ; Bethel, 4 X., 8 W.; 
Lamoine, 4 K, 4 W. ; New Salem, 5 N., 1 W. ; Scotland, 5 K, 2 
W. ; Chalmers, 5 N., 3 W. ; Tennessee, 5 N., 4 W.; Mound, 6 N., 
1 W. ; Macomb, 6 JST., 2 W. ; Emmett, 6 N., 3 W. ; Hire, 6 N., 4 
W. ; Prairie City, 7 N., 1 W. ; Walnut Grove, 7 Is., 2 W. ; Sciota, 
7 K, 3 W. ; Blandinsville, 7 K, 4 "W. 

By the above we were entitled to sixteen members of the Board 
of Supervisors, since which time Macomb City has been allowed 
two representatives, and Prairie City township has been divided, 
the west half called Bushnell. Bushnell township is given one rep- 
resentative, and Bushnell city one, making in all tAventy members 
of the Board of Supervisors. Wo here subjoin sketches of the 
various townships, beginning with — 



HISTORY OV M'nONOUGn COUNTY. 121 

Eldorado. — This township lies in the extreme southeast part of 
the county, 4 n., 1 w. It was first settled in 1831 ; A. J. Foster 
building the first house on section 2, in the northeast portion of 
the township, the settlement being known to this day as Foster's 
Point. About one-fourth of the township is timber land, the bal- 
ance being a beautiful prairie. The timber land all lies in the 
southern part, with the exception of about seven hundred acres in 
the northeast part, comprising all of section 1 and part of section 
2. Divided up, we have 21,292 acres of improved land; 1,490 
acres of unimproved. In the southeastern part of the township, 
coal and building stone are found in great quantities, and of a good 
quality. Several small streams run through the township, fur- 
nishing living water for stock in all seasons of the year. Sugar 
creek and its branches arc the principal water courses. 

As showing the value of the township for all purposes we com- 
pile the following facts and figures of its products for the year 
1875, together with the number of head and value of all kinds of 
stock: There were 21,293 acres of improved land, of which num- 
ber 7,634 acres were in corn, 1,457 in wheat, 1,467 in oats, and 
656 in other products. There were also 2,270 head of cattle, 
—value, $47,574; hogs, 4,192— value, $22,982; horses, 747— value, 
$31,200. 

At the residence of Father Harris, living on section 1, was per- 
formed the first marriage ceremony in the township — Mr. Cleoii 
Keddick and Miss Lucy Harris, by Rev. Aaron Kinney, a Univer- 
salist minister, in the year 1839. 

The first birth was Samuel J. Foster, son of A. J. and Sarah 
Foster, w^ho was born in the fall of 1831. The first death waa 
ISTimrod Foster, son of Henry Foster, in the fall of the same year. 

Miss Lucy Harris taught the first school, in 1837. 

Eldorado Township, politically, is Democratic. As members 
of the Board of Supervisors it has sent John Price, James Keach, 
Thomas Lawyer, William Marshall, Milton Amrine, Thomas Cox, 
James Irwin, Isaac Chandler, Job Marshall and A. J. Herrou, 
the present efficient member. 

There are no towns in the township, and her people can trulj 
be said to be agricultural in their tastes and habits. 

In churches and school houses the township is behind none. 
On the southwest corner of section 15 is a good town hall, known 



122 HLSTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

as Eldorado Hall. This building was erected about the year 1869, 
at a cost of $1,800. It is used for all public purposes, such as 
elections, meetiugs of towu officers and general public meetings. 

New Salem. — Xew Salem township lies in range 5 north, 1 west, 
and is geuerall}'' believed to contain the finest body of land in the 
county. With the exception of a small tract of thirty-eight acres 
of timber in the southern part, it is entirely prairie land, and for 
richness of soil and adaptability to the various products of this 
country, is unsurpassed. The township was lirst settled in 1828, 
William Pennington erecting his cabin in the region now known 
as Pennington's Point. There Avas probably at that time a little 
more timber in the township than at present, and the early settlers 
made their homes so as to have the benefit of it. Xo attempt was 
made to settle the prairie for many years after, though we believe 
it was the lirst township in which this was generally done. 

No better improved farms are to be found in the Military Tract 
than in New Salem Township; and herein live some of the most 
Avealthy and honored of our citizens. The hospitality of her 
citizens is unbounded, and the "latch-string always hangs out" 
and the weary traveler linds a hearty welcome. 

Among the early settlers of this township we may mention 
William Pennington, Stewart Pennington, Major Yocum, J. E. D. 
Hammer, Salem Woods, and William Moore. Salem Woods, 
although he did not effect a settlement in the township until 1880, 
visited it in 1828, coming Irom his home in Pennsylvania on foot, 
for the purpose of examining the land he had purchased the year 
before, in 1827. Not finding the country as well settled as he 
anticipated, he returned to his old home, but came out again two 
years after, settled down on section 30, where he has resided ever 
since, retaining the original deed. Mr. Woods brought the first 
stove ever seen in McDonough County, — a stove that was a great 
wonder in its day. We have heard of women making their bread, 
and carrying it a distance of nine miles to have the honor of 
baking it in that stove. Mr. Woods has yet a portion of it. One 
of the most jolly, good-natured souls that ever lived was Major 
Stephen Yocum, and the citizens of the I'oint will long remember 
him. 

The first marriage in the township was Mr. Morgan Jones and 
Miss Elizabeth Osborne, who were united by Joseph Osborne, 
Esq., in February, 1831. The first birth was Perry Pennington, 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 125 

son of "VVm. rennington, in the year 1828. The first death, J. J- 
Pennington, son of Stewart Pennington, September 10, 1838. 

The first sermon was preached by old Father Harris, at the 
house of William Osborne, at Pennington's Point, in 1834. 

The first school was taught at Pennington's Point by Miss 
Martha Campbell, now the widow of the John M. Walker. Gideon 
Waters was the first to teach a public school and drew' the first 
public money. 

This township has one village in its boundaries, the village of 
Adair, on the Chicago, Rock Island and St. Louis Railroad. 
Mention is made elsewhere of this place, to which we call atten- 
tion. Pennington's Point, although, not incorporated, has quite 
a little settlement around it, there being a general store, a black- 
smith shop, a doctor's office, and a post office. Mr. S. Raby is 
the postmaster. Dr. E. BoUes, the physcian, while the store and 
l)lacksmith shop are also run by Mr. Raby. 

The products of the township are such as are common through- 
out the county. The value of the land as assessed is $687,590. 
There are 22,286 acres of improved land and not one unimproved. 
In horses, cattle, hogs, and other stock, she ranks second to none. 
In fine stock, the township is probably ahead, especially on cat- 
tle. This is the home of Joseph and Russell Lownes, who live 
on sec. 27, near the county line. These gentlemen, for many 
years, have turned their attention to fine cattle, and have about as 
tine herds as are to be found in this section of the country. 

The following named gentlemen have served as members of the 
Board of Supervisors : James II. Epperson, Joseph Lownes, Simon 
Pontious, Asah el Russell, Reuben C. Porter, Lyman Porter, Joseph 
E. Porter, Amaziah Hanson, Abrara Powers, John L. Epperson.^ 

Mound. — The southern portion of this township is low and fiat; 
the eastern, bordering on Spoon river brakes, is broken and hilly ; 
the remainder of the land is beautifully rolling and fertile. On 
section 14 is the summit of a very high mound, perhaps the high- 
est point in the county; the ascent is very gradual, and scarcely 
perceptible. When the summit is reached a grand view of the 
surrounding country presents itself. From this mound the town- 
ship derives its name. The mound is known as Dyer's Mound. 

Of the thirty-six sections, but one is timber land. 



124 HISTORY OF M'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

la the northeastern portion, but a few feet below the surface, 
■coal is found in paying quantities, and several mines are now being 
worked. 

As for improvements, Mound ranks among the best, there being 
but few poor farms in the whole township. There are several fine 
•churches in the township, also a good town hall, but the school 
houses fall below the average, and are .not in keeping with the 
Avealth and high standing of the people. This doubtless will soon 
be otherwise. 

Mound has more miles of railroad than any other township in 
the county. There is one village, ISTew Philadelphia, which is 
noticed under the head of towns and villages. 

The first settlement was in 1832, Joseph Smitii building a house 
■on section 18, and occupying it with his family. But little pro- 
gress was made as respects increase in population and the develop- 
ment of the resources of the township for many years after. The 
Crawfords, Jacksons, Creels, Kepples and McCandless are num- 
bered among the first settlers — all good and industrious families, 
and still living in the respective neighborhoods in which they first 
settled. 

Edward Dyer and Jane Ivepple were the first couple united in 
the holy bonds of matrimony. They were married on the seven- 
teenth day of April, 1838, by the Rev. John Richmond, a Methodist 
minister, wdio organized the first church in the township. The 
first preaching in the township was also by a Methodist, Rev. E. 
Thompson, who preached at the house of Jacob Kepple, in the 
year 1836. There are now three churches in the township, viz : 
Methodist Episcopal, Christian, and United Brethren. 

The first birth was that of Josephine Ivulp, about the year 1834, 
and the first death was Emily Miller, daughter of George and 
Mary C. Miller, who died in the year 1832. 

S. H. McCandless taught the first school in the first cabin ever 
built in the township, in the year 1838. 

There are in the township 22,238 acres of improved land, having 
an assessed value of $872,260, a higher rate than any other in the 
county. There is no unimproved land. 

"With respect to products, the township will favorably compare 
with any other in the county. In stock it ranks number one. In 
intelligence and business enterprise second to none. Being the 
home of such men as the Porters, Creels, Manly s, Works, and 
others, this is not to be wondered at. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 125. 

Politicallj, Mound is Republican. The township has been rep- 
resented in the Board of Supervisors by Samuel II. McCandless^ 
Solomon Markham, Edward Dyer, Christian Ely, James Upde- 
graff, Lyman Porter, James Manly, Joseph Shannon, Thomas J. 
Creel, Ross Manly, and Joseph Shannon. 

In 1874 a town hall was erected on section 21, at a cost of $1,000. 
It is a frame building, twenty-four by thirt3^-six, and is used for 
all town purposes, such as elections, public meetings, etc. 

Prairie City and Bushnell. — These townships were originally 
one, and lie 7 north, 1 west, and are almost wholly prairie land,, 
and as good as can be found in the Military Tract. Matthew B. 
Robinson was the first settler, erecting a house on section 30 — 
now Bushnell township. G. W. Thompson was probably the 
second, and settled on section 25, six miles east from Mr. Robinson. 
Mr. Thompson remarked to the writer that, notwithstanding the 
distance, they were truly neighbors, much more than many who 
now live within a stone's throw of each other. This was charac- 
teristic of early times. 

But little was done in the settlement of the township until the 
completion of the C. B. & Q. R. R., when, in a short time, every 
quarter was taken up and occupied. 

The first birth was Missouri E. Robinson, daughter of Matthew 
B. Robinson, who was born in 1837. 

The first death was John W. Clark, who died in September^ 
1847. 

The Presbyterians were the first to enter this new field and sow 
the seeds ot the gospel. Rev. William H. Stewart, of Macomb,, 
preaching the first sermon, at the house of Matthew B. Robinson. 

The first school was taught by David Robinson, in the year 
1838. 

The township increased very rapidly in w^ealth and population 
on the completion of the railroad, and two towns were laid out 
within its limits ; one on sections 1 and 2, and the other on sec- 
tions 27, 28, 33 and 34 — the former called Prairie City and the 
latter Bushnell. These towns are noticed elsewhere at some 
length. 

By an act of the Legislature the township was divided in 1865,, 
the north half retaining the name of Prairie City and the south 
half adopting the name of Bushnell. 



126 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Thin township has always been Republican. Before the divis- 
ion the following named gentlemen served it on the Board of 
Supervisors: Alonzo S.Kimber, G. F. Ilendrickson, Isaac Weaver, 
Hiram Conover and T>. R. Hamilton. Since its division Prairie 
City has been repreoented by H. C Sanford, G. W. Hamilton, 
James W. Brooks, Sanger S. Stevens, G. W. Closson, and A. T. 
Irwin. Bushnell has sent J. H. Smith, ]). M, Wychoft, James 
Devon, S. A. Epperson, A. L. Sparks, J. C. Cadwalladcr, and E. 
D. C. Haines, 

Industry. — Industry township lies in range 4 north, 2 west, and 
is the oldest settled district in the county, it embracing the old 
Carter settlement of which we make mention elsewhere in this 
work. About two-iifths of the township was originally timber 
land, a good j)art of which is now brought under cultivation. 

Being the oldest settled township in the county its people can 
boast of having initiated several customs. Here was performed 
the iirst marriage ceremony in the county. Mr. John Wilson and 
Miss Martha R. Yance, being united in the "holy bands of wed- 
lock" on the 30ch day of October, 1828; here the tirst child was 
born, a daughter to Thomas Carter in August, 1828 ; here the 
first death, a son of Isaac Fowler, in 1829 ; here the first gospel 
sermon, by Elder John Logan, in May, 1828; here the first cburch 
erected in 1831, which is still standing, it having been built as a 
Union church; here the first school, taught by an Englishman 
named Jenkins. 

The township now has 21,457 acres of improved lands, and 
1,403 acres of unimproved, with a total cash value of $612,866; 
towns lots, $33,749. In the past year (1875), there were planted 
and sown 6,987 acres corn, 1,651 acres wheat, 1,057 acres oats, 
212 acres other products. There were in the township 910 
horses, 1,806 cattle, 68 mules, 868 sheep, and 2,521 hogs. (For 
value of these see table). 

In the south part of the township, and probably underlying 
every square foot of soil in all parts, may be found coal in great 
abundance, the veins averaging thirty-three inches. Ebenezer 
Jones, James A. Yawter, William Dupees and others are working 
good veins of an excellent quality. 

We find in the township, including the town of Industry, 
several churches, showing the spiritual wants of the people are not 
neglected. There are also school houses, with an average attend- 
ance in tlieir schools of four hundred and sixty-seven. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 127 

Grindstone Creek (formerly called Turkey Creek) is the princi- 
pal stream passing through the township, it coming in on section 1 
and passing out at section 19. Camp Creek passes through a 
portion of sections 5 and 6. Thus we find the township well 
watered. All things taken into consideration, the division of the 
toAvnship into timber and prairie land, the abundance of coal, 
stone tor building purposes, etc., we consider Industry well-favor- 
ed. Among the wealthy farmers, we may mention Darius Runkle, 
who owns large tracts of land in the southern part. The follow- 
ing named gentlemen have served the township as members of the 
Board of Supervisors : Joel Pennington, 1857-60 ; Darius Runkle, 
1860; Leander Cassidy, 1861-63; P. B. Cordell, 1863-65; T. J. 
Pennington, 1865 ; James P. Skiles, 1866-68 ; George A. Taylor, 
1868; R. A. Duncan, 1869 ; Ebenezer Vail, 1870; T. J. Pennington, 
1871; T. B. Cordell, 1872; Thomas L. Maxwell, 1873; C. R. 
Shannon, 1874; W. H. Taylor, 1875; William Kinkade, 1876. 

Scotland. — This township derived its name from the large number 
of Scottish citizens living in the township at its organization. It 
lies in range 5 north, 2 west. 

The first settlement effected in the township was in the year 
1832. Dr. Charles Hays, a physician of large practice in the 
early times, and the Hon. Cyrus Walker being the first to erect 
their cabins. The Clarks, Alisons, Harlans, and Campbells were 
among the early settlers. These men are yet living, or have 
descendants living in the township, all, we believe, well-to-do 
farmers and excellent business men. 

The township is all prairie land, except groves along the banks 
of Camp Creek, which is reported to the assessors as being timber 
land, and containing 662 acres, a little more than a section. The 
soil is the best in the county, and no township can boast a greater 
yield of corn or other products to the acre. A large amount of 
stock is raised, it being one of the best sections of country in the 
State for that purpose. 

^o better improved farms are found, no finer residences and 
better barns than those in this township. The people are all of 
the industrious class, and are continually adding to their wealth. 
Dr. B. R. Westfall, Milton Knight, S. C. Knight, Amos Dixon, 
L. F. Smith, M. Herndon, J. M. Rexroat, and the Barclay broth- 
ers, are among the prominent men of the township. 



128 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Rev. AVm. K. Stewart, a Presbyterian minister, living in Ma- 
comb, preached the first gospel sermon at the house of Hon. Cyrus 
Walker, in the year 1837. This denomination outranks all others 
in the township, having two flourishing churches in the southern 
part, a description of which may be found in the chapter on the 
religious history of the county. 

The flrst school taught in the township was in a log house on 
Camp Creek, Miss Mary Mead as teacher. Scotland to-day has 
the best school buildings of any township in the county, in num- 
ber, nine, and valued at about |10,000. Iler schools have always 
been the best, with number one teachers usually employed. 

The first death was the Rev. Ezekiel Campbell, who died in the 
year 1834, on what is now known as the Craig farm. 

The first couple marrying in tne township we were unable to 
learn. 

The assessed value of land for the year 1876 is $634,080. A 
small portion of Macomb lies in this township, but its record of 
town lots are kept by that city, and do not come under the super- 
vision of the township officers at all. In value of stock Scotland 
ranks third in the county. In imported stock it ranks first. Dr. 
B. R. Westfall and J. M.Rexroat have been making special efibrts 
to improve the stock of the county by importing thorough bred 
horses and cattle from Europe and other places. 

Scotland politically is Republican by a large vote, and is usually 
relied upon by the leaders of that party to bring in a good major- 
ity. 

Isaac P. Monfort, George W, Provine, Jacob Randolph, John 
Blackburn, Samuel R. Jones, John C. Moore, John Watson, L. F. 
Smith, Jonas Ringer and John Barclay have serv^ed the township 
as members of the Board of Supervisors. 

Macomb. — The history of this township in a measure is identi- 
fied with the history of the city of Macomb. It lies in six north, 
two west, and is principally prairie, though having considerable 
timber along the margin of Crooked creek and its branches. In 
woodland there was reported to the assessor in 1876, only a little 
over a section — 696 acres. Among the settlers in the township 
were Alexander Harris, Joseph Smith, Robert Grant, J. P. Upde- 
graff, Ephrai<n Palmer, William Hamilton and Levi Hamilton, 
the first among them settling about the year 1831. This town- 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 129 

sh-ip was made noted at an early day by the circumstances of a 
child being lost, an account of which is given in one of the first 
chapters of this book. 

The township now has some advantages over those of any other 
in the county, chiet among which is its accessibility to a railroad 
depot, there being no part of it over four miles from one. It has 
only two churches in it, but its proximity to the towns surround- 
ing it obviates any difficulty here. 

Crooked creek passes through the entire township, coming in 
at section thirteen, and passing out at section thirty. Drowning 
Fork, of this stream, derived its name from the circumstance of a 
man being drowned there about the year 1827. Two soldiers 
Avere returning from the northern part of this State, or Wisconsin, 
where they had been fighting Indians, going south. When they 
arrived at this branch of Crooked creek they found it swollen by 
recent rains. In attempting to cross, one of them was drowned. 
His companion buried him beside the stream, and made his way 
to the block house, in Industry township, where he narrated the 
circumstances to the few settlers surrounding it, who returned 
with him to the creek and found it as he described. They gave 
it the name which it has since borne — Drowning Fork. 

Although there are fewer acres of land susceptible of cultiva- 
tion in the township, it is well improved in every respect^ 
and has living within its boundaries some of the most en- 
terprising farmers in the county, among whom we may mention 
L. H. Copeland, formerly County Superintendent of Public 
Schools, David Holler, H. H. McElwain, Durham Harris, L. H, 
Shriner, John Wiley, Andy Lewis, William Rile, James Fulton, 
Abraham Switzer, L. H. Shriner, W. E. Eoberts, John 
Crabb, the Cline Brothers, Joseph Parks, and a host of others. 
David Holler has an advantage over many of the farmers of the 
county, in the fact that he can sell the dirt of his farm, and 
whether able to raise anything or not, he can still live. The 
finest clay in the world for the manufacture of fire-brick, tiling 
and earthenware, comes from his farm. 

The land in this township not available for cultivation makes 
the finest pasture, and we find the township excelling as a stock- 
producing country, having three times as many head of cattle as 
any other. 

H— 9 



130 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

The greater part of the city of Macomb lies in this township, 
and <also the town of Bardolph. This takes from the total value 
of the lauds, but it has $623,127 worth, at the assessed value. 

We tind the following named persons who have served in the 
Board of Supervisors: James Maguire, Louis 11. Waters, B. R. 
Hampton, William S. Hendricks, Firman Casto, O. F. Piper, Wil- 
liam J. Merritt, F. D. Knapp, William II. Rile, John Archer, 
Thomas Cline and Foster Dobbins. 

Walnut Grove. — This township was not settled as early as some 
others, the first record we have being in the spring of 1835, when 
Sidney Gear erected his house on section 14. It is a beautiful 
prairie country, its timber land, about one hundred acres, lying 
along the banks of the stream. 

The first birth was Flora M. Walker, daughter of Gilmore 
Walker, who was born in the year 1836. Mr. Walker was the 
first to lose a child, Martha Walker, who died in the fall of 1837. 
Rev. Harrison Berry, a Cumberland Presbyterian clergyman, and 
Miss Martha Walker were the first couple married in the town- 
ship. They were united on the fifteenth day of February, 1838, 
at the residence of Gilmore Walker, by the Rev. Cyrus Haines. 
The Rev. Mr. Griggs preached the first sermon in 1836. Walker 
Findley taught the first school in 1838, in a log cabin on section 16, 
near what is now known as the Deer Park. 

The township is well represented by the various religious 
denominations, each having good church buildings, showing the 
inhabitants are not adverse to religious influences. As to its 
educational facilities, it is up to the average. 

The T. P. & W. Railroad passes through the township on the 
south side, and the St. L., C. & R. I. crosses its northeast corner. 
A portion of Good Hope lies in the township, near the southwest 
corner. This town is mentioned elsewhere. Bushnell and Prairie 
City are within convenient distance, which give the people good 
markets. 

Politically, the township may be classed as Republican. We 
find the following named gentlemen have been members of the 
Board of Supervisors : Dr. D. J. Dungan, John McSperritt, 
Joshua Larkins, I). A. McKee, Samuel McWhinney, E. B. Davis, 
William W. Stewart, David Brockway and R. A. Morris. 



HISTORY OF M'DOXOUGH COUNTY. 131 

Bethel. — This township lies 4 north, 3 west, and is principally 
timber land, containing some of the finest in the county. John 
Gibson has the honor of being the first to settle here, he building 
himself a cabin in the year 1830, about the time the Clarkes, ilay- 
lors, and others settled in the neighborhood of Macomb. Mr. 
Gibson built his house on section 2, near the present village of 
Middletown. That his selection of a site was good is admitted 
by all. James Edmundson, one of the first County Commission- 
ers, Marks, Dunsworth, Archer, and Matthews also came at a-n 
early day. 

The first marriage was Mr. Thomas Driskill and ^Miss Sarah 
Gibson, who were united November 16, 1839, by Jesse Keece, 
Esq., a Justice of Peace. The first birth was Joseph, son of John 
Gibson, in 1832. 

The Baptist was the first religious denomination to preach the 
gospel, old Father Bradley and Thomas Owens, doing the work. 
These men, we believe, organized a Baptist church here about 
1835. 

John Claybaugh taught the first school on section 6, in 1831. 

This township is well watered, the two forks of Crooked Creek 
passing through its entire length, one coming in on section 24, and 
the others on section 1, both uniting and passing out on section 81. 

The north part of the township is prairie land, and we find 
some of the finest farms in the county. The southern part is 
timber land, and is the depository of immense beds of coal and a 
great deal of stone for building purposes. Copper, zinc and iron 
ore have been found in large quantities, though but little eflort 
has been made to test the matter as to whether it can be found 
sufiicient to pay working or not. 

There are in the township 17,403 acres of improved land, and 
5,053 acres of wood land. 

This is a democratic township, and has sent as members of the 
Board of Supervisors the following named gentlemen : James H. 
Dunsworth, John Nankivil, James Black, Wm. Twaddle, James 
Bobinson, John M. Dunsworth, Samuel Wilson, Archibald IIols- 
tine, AVm. II. Is'ankivil. 

Chalmers. — This is one of the oldest settled townships in the 
•L'ounty, and lies five north, three west. Daniel, and David Trox- 
well, Berry Jones and theMcFaddens were the first to inhabit the 



132 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

township, ill 1828. The iirst mentioned left the following yeaiv 
1830. flohn D. Barber, Jesse Xeece and Kobert I'helps can also 
be numbered with the first. 

This township contains more timber land than any other in the 
county, which doubtless accounts for its early settlement and 
subsequent growth. John W. Westfall, familiarly known as^ 
Governor Westfall, and Miss Neece, were the first couple married. 
Miss jSTeece was the daughter of Jesse Neece, and a sister of Hon. 
W. H. Xeece. They were married by James Clarke, Esq., a Jus- 
tice of the Peace, on the fifteenth day of December, 1834. 

The first Ifirth was Martin, son of Robert Phelps, in the year 
year 1830. 

The first death was a Mr. ]^)0wen, who died in the year 1830, at 
the residence of David McFadden, on the farm now owned by 
William Hunter, near the city of Macomb. He was buried in the 
old grave yard near Macomb, and was the second person interred 
therein. 

Rev. John Baker, who is mentioned in the first part of this 
work, a Baptist minister, preached the first discourse at the resi- 
dence of Daniel Troxwell, in 1830. 

William Shelton taught the first school on section 20, in 1833. 

A portion of the city of Macomb lies in the northeast corner of 
this township, and a portion of the town of Colchester lies on 
section nineteen. 

By reference to the returns of the assessors, we learn that there 
are yet 7,760 acres of timber land, a greater number than any 
other in the county. The fuel question, so far as they are con- 
cerned, is settled. 

There are here many good farms, the most of which are small ^ 
there being very few large landholders. This is far better for the 
general good. 

Living here we find the following named excellent citizens, who 
have done much, and are still working for, the best interest of the 
township : C. "W. Dunsworth, George W. Duncan, and William 
Reid, W. S. McClelland, George Kruse, John D. Barber, Mrs. 
Alison and Mrs. Sullivan. 

This township has always been Democratic. The following 
have been sent to represent the township as members of the Board 
of Supervisors since the adoption of the township organization 
law : Isaac McCowan, Alexander Blackburn, Jeremiah Sullivan,. 



HISTORY OF M DOXOUGH COUNTY. 166 

Sr., Tleiuy S. Marvel, T. B. McCormick, Cyrus Hoyt, George "W. 
Keece, Jeremiah Sullivan, Jr., R. L. Horrell and George M. 
Thompson. 

Emmet. — This township lies 6 north, 3 west, and is about equally 
•divided between timber and prairie land. A portion of it lying 
in the present city of Macomb, its history is contemporaneous with 
it, Peter Hale, the first Coroner of the county, building his cabin 
on the quarter where the old grave yard, west of Macomb, is lo- 
cated, in the year 1830. William Pringle settled a short dis- 
tance west. This was the first settlement in the township. In the 
year 1831 William Pennington removed from Pennington's Point, 
and located upon Spring creek, about eight miles northwest of 
Macomb, where he still resides. John Wyatt settled near by 
about the same time. Others soon followed, and the Spring Creek 
settlement became quite noted. The Russells, McCords, Hum- 
berts, and others were among the lirst, and all have descendants 
jet living in the township. 

Elder John Logan, the noted pioneer preacher, a short biogra- 
phy of whom we give elsewhere, preached the first sermon on 
Spring creek in the year 1832. 

David G. McFadden and Miss Dorcas Bowen were the first 
couple married in the township, the ceremony being performed by 
James Yance, Sr., a Justice of the Peace, some time in the j^ear 
1833. This McFadden was one of the two hung about two years 
later for the murder of John Wilson, they being the only citizens 
ot McDonough county who have met the like fate. 

The township is well watered, and is an excellent stock country. 
Crooked creek passes through the southeast portion of the town- 
ship, and Spring creek and tributaries running through the greater 
portion of it, furnishes living water at all seasons of the year. 

There are many excellent farms here, and the farmers are nearly 
all well to do men. J. D., A. J. and J. N. llainline, Samuel Dey, 
James D. Griffith, Samuel McCray, A. B., William and George 
Stickle, George Guy and sons, William C. McLeod, are among 
her best citizens. 

There are 4,439 acres of wood land, and 20,055 improved, and 
2,762 unimproved land. The improved is assessed for 1876 at 
S432,623. 

In churches and school houses the township will bear compari- 
son with any other. 



134 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Emmet has always been Democratic, generally voting the ticket 
straight. This year, 1876, by strong ettbrt, the Republicans suc- 
ceeded in getting a small majority on their county ticket. 

The following named gentlemen have served as members of the 
Board of Supervisors : Jonathan H. Baker, James M. Campbell^ 
Charles Creel, William C. McLeod and Thomas Murray. Since 
1859, William C. McLeod has served on the Board fourteen years, 
a longer time than any other person in the county save one. lie 
certainly has made an efficient officer. 

Sciota. — This township lies in range 7 north, 3 west, and is a 
very fine body of land. With the exception of one-quarter sec- 
tion in the southwest corner, it is entirely prairie, and nearly all 
available for cultivation. The land is very fertile, and at this 
time there is scarcely a foot of soil, outside of public highways,, 
but what is under fence, and all under cultivation, save the tim- 
ber land mentioned above and a little on the brakes of the creeks. 

The first settlement made in this township was in the year 1836 
— Pressly Purdy, John Ilainline, Benjamin Clark and V. M. Har- 
din being among the early settlers. The township made no 
special growth until about the time of the completion of the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. There being so much 
prairie land within its boundaries, it seemed a perfect barrier to 
its settlement. Where was the timber to come from for fuel and 
fencing purposes, and what protection could be had from the cold 
blasts of winter ? The fuel and fencing question was effectually 
solved by the introduction of the railroad, and, from experience^ 
it was found that one could live about as comfortable upon the 
open prairie as in the timber. It was not until about the year 
1856 that much progress was made in settling upon the prairie; 
previous to this the settlers all hugged the timber joining the 
township on the southwest. When John Logan settled upon sec- 
tion 16, in 1857, his friends thought he was crazy in going so far 
from the timber, and predicted he would never be troubled with 
neighbors — the nearest one then being about three miles away. 
iN'ow there is not a quarter section in the whole township where 
there is not a dwelling house, and there are many very fine farms 
which are well cultivated by their happy owners. 

The first marriage was that of Mr. Y. M. Hardin and jSliss 
jSTancy Purdy. They were united by Rev. Jesse Chapman, a 
Baptist preacher then living in Macomb, on the sixteenth day of 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 135 

April, 1840, and on the twentieth of June, 1841, was born to them 
Mary E., the first child born in the township. 

The lirst school house was built in 1816, and Louis Goddard 
taught the first school. There are now eight in the township, 
each enjoying a reasonable degree of prosperity. 

Kev. Cyrus Haines preached the first sermon at the house of 
John Hainline, in the summer of 1839. Mr. Haines was of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian denomination. 

There are two villaa^s in the township — Good Hope and Sciota, 
the latter more generally known as Clarkesville — a name given it 
in honor of William B. [Clarke, who established the point. For 
description oi these villages the reader is referred to another 
chapter. 

The township is mainly well watered, the Walnut Grove branch 
of Crooked creek and its tributaries passing through some ten 
or twelve sections, while the head waters of Spring creek is 
formed on section 29, and passes out on section 31. 

The principal products are corn, wheat and oats. In corn the 
township outranks any other in the county, in 1875 having 13,712 
acres. If we give 50 bushels as an average, it would be 685,600 
as the yield. 

Politically, Sciota has always been Democratic. The following 
are the names of those serving the township as members of the 
Board of Supervisors: William Heath, James M. Wallen, G. F. 
Green, J. W. Brewster, Benjamin Robinson, J. T. Painter, Eph- 
raim Dice, John W. Tipton and Evan Rodgers. 

Lamoine. — Lamoine lies in township 4 north, range 4 west and 
is principally timber land. Its first settlement was in 1830, and 
the first house built on section 12, by David Fees. In the south- 
western part a settlement was founded, we believe, in the following 
year, on what is known as Round Prairie, near the Hancock and 
Schuyler county line. In this part of the township are some fine 
farms, the land being of a good quality. The Twidwclls, Whit- 
tingtons, and Myers, were the first to settle on Round Prairie, 
while Thomas and Benjamin Powers and David- Fees settled on 
the eastern part, joining Bethel. 

The first birth was Sarah, daughter of David Fees, in the year 
1830. 



136 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

It was several years after the settlement of the township, before 
death entered, Isaac Smith dying on Round Prairie in the year 
1840, being the first one. 

In the year 1832, at the house of Elijah Poole, the first gospel 
sermon was preached, by Old Father Bradley and Thomas Owens. 

There is one village in the township — Colmar, on the C. B. & 
Q. R. R. 

William S. Hendricks, a well known former citizen of the 
county, taught the first school on section 11, about the year 1839. 

Lamoine is Democratic, and has elected to serve them in the 
County Board of Supervisors the following named gentlemen: 
John S. Ilolliday. John Twidwell, L. G. Reed, J. W. llendricks, 
and William Robinson. 

Mr. Reed has the honor of having served on the Board longer 
than any other person, serving fifteen years out of the twenty since 
the adoption of the township organization law. lie has made an 
efficient oflicer, and served several terms as chairman of the Board. 
He was the agent of the county in superintending the work of 
building the new court house, and faithfully attended to his duties. 
Although a zealous politican, he enjoys the respect and esteem of 
both political friends and foes. 

Tennessee. — This township was settled at an early day, Roswell 
Tyrrell building a house in which to live in the year 1830. We 
find it principally timber, there being given to the assessor as 
wood land in 1876, a total number of 10,293 acres. A good part 
of this is counted also as improved, for we find 15,204 acres 
marked as such. A good portion is excellent farming land, and 
there are a number of good farms. 

The whole township is underlaid with stone coal of an excel- 
lent quality; some of the best mines in the whole State are here 
found. 

Crooked creek passes through the township, coming in on sec. 
1, and passing out on sec. 18. 

The greater part of Colchester lies in this township, and also 
the village of Tennessee. This takes from the gross amount of 
the value of their land. 

Samuel A. Hunt taught the first school in the winter of 1833, 
in a loir cabin on sec. 3. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 137 

The first marriage was Benjamin Welch and Miss Pauline Ivirk, 
who were united in the year 1834 by Eev. James Ivin,£^, a Meth- 
odist preacher. 

Rev. C3^rus Haines, a Cumberland Presbyterian preacher, deliv- 
ered the first discourse, at the house of Joshua Hunt, sometime 
in the year 1834. 

Stephen A. White, E. B. Ilibbard, William Moore, Reson 
Hooton, Ralford McClure, John Myers, Rutherford McClure and 
II. L. Rapelje, have served with the Board of Supervisors. 

Hire. — This township derived its name from George W. Hire, 
it first being called Rock Creek. It lies 6 north, 4 west, and was 
settled at an early day, a portion of Job's settlement reaching 
into it. iSTathaniel Herron was probably the first settler, and 
Robert Seybold the next. Mr. Herron came out and built his 
cabin in the fall of 1827, when he returned for his famil}^ and 
moved in the spring of 1828. Like many other portions of this 
county, Hire was originally settled by the Kentuckians, with a 
very slight mixture from other States. Of those settling here at 
an early day, we recall to mind Major Hungate, John Hardesty, 
Jacob Clark, John Hunt, Vandever Banks, Evau Martin, 
and John Logan. Many of the early settlers attained some prom- 
inence in McDonough county aftairs. John Hardesty was County 
Commissioner tor several years ; John Logan was a noted Bap- 
tist preacher ; Vandever Banks was somewhat of a politician, 
running once for the Legislature, being beaten by throwing out 
of one of the poll books on account of some informality. 

The Methodists were the first to proclaim the gospel. Rev. Nehe- 
miah Ilurd preaching at the house of Vandever Banks, in the 
year 1836. 

Captain Charles R. Hume, well and favorably known throughout 
the county, taught the first school in 1838, at the present residence 
of Isaac Oakman. Previous to this time the citizens of the town- 
ship were compelled to send their children to other more for- 
tunate settlements to obtain an education. 

There is no record of any death previous to the year 1844, when 
George W., a son of Vandever and Leonore Banks, died on the 
fourth day of March. 

Hire is principally prairie, with groves here and there. The 
soil is of good quality, and the farms are among the best in the 
county. Within the past ten years great improvements have been 



138 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

made ; the ol'd log house has given place to the stylish modern 
residence; straw barns to large wooden structures. Everything 
betokens change for the better. 

This is a good stock country, and considerable attention is giv- 
en to this branch of industry. 

By the assessments, and from personal enquiry, we learn there 
are 22,743 acres of improved land in the township, valued at 
$580,052. Of wood land there are 803 acres. 

Hire has had to represent her in the Board of Supervisors the 
following named gentlemen : Ebenezer iST. Hicks, R. Matteson 
Foils, Isaac Oakman, Jesse Martin, J. E. K. Carlisle, Samuel Lo- 
gan, William D. Welch, and Allen Stookey. 

Blandlnsvilie. — With the exception of Industry this is the old- 
est settled township in the county — AVilliam Job and two of his 
brothers-in-law coming here in 1827. A thriving settlement was 
soon gathered, and was called, in honor of William Job, " Job's 
settlement," and until the past few years it still continued to bear 
the name. 

John Ilardesty, Redmond Grigsby, Harrison Ilungate, X. M. 
Hardin, Charles G. Ilungate, AVilliam Ilardesty, William D., 
James A., John S. and Thomas Mustain, Silas J. Grigsby and 
John Huston were among the iirst settlers. Many of these are yet 
living, and all have descendants here who are prominently identi- 
hed with the history of the township and of the county. 

James Vance, son of John Vance, was the first child born here. 
He was born on section 29, in the year 1830. 

Elder John Logan, the old pioneer preacher, who probably 
preached as many discourses for as little money as any other man, 
and who toiled long for the Master, delivered the first discourse in 
1829 or 1830, in the barn of John Ilardesty. The first church 
was built about the year 1832 as a Union Church, and was occu- 
pied by the Baptist and Christian denominations in common. 

Blandinsville township is principally prairie, though having in 
it considerable timber, given in to the assessors at 5,16G acres. The 
land is of good quality, and in it are some of the best farms, the finest 
residences, and most substantial outbuildings found in the county. 
As a stock producing township it ranks number one. In number 
of head of cattle it is next to Macomb, and in quality it is probably 
ahead. Here is the home of liigdon Huston, Esq., one of the 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 139 

heaviest stock dealers in the county. His herd of iine cattle has 
borne away from the fairs of the State many blue ribbons. John 
Huston also devotes a great deal of labor to this branch of indus- 
try. 

Among the many excellent farmers and business men of the 
township who have spent time and money in building up its in- 
dustries are Rigdon, Thomas B., Preston and John Huston, Hon. 
Humphrey Horrabin, William Blackhurst, O. M. Lisk, George G. 
Blandin, William H. Grigsby and Thomas M. Gilfrey. 

The village of Blandinsville is in this township, and much of its 
history is identiiied with it. A sketch of the place is found else- 
where. 

This is one of the strong Democratic townships. It has had to 
represent her in the Board of Supervisors William W. Moss, Hiram 
Williams, Victor M. Hardin, James A. Munstain, Rigdon Huston, 
W. W. Gillihan and Silas J. Grigsby. 



140 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

GEOLOGICAL. 

AVe make no apology for copying bodily from the report of 
Hon. A. H. Worth en, State Geologist, his remarks with reference 
to the geology of this county. To scholars this chapter will be 
especially valuable. 

The geological formations appearing at the surface in this 
county comprise the Quaternary, including the loess and drift ; 
the lower portions of the coal measure, including the three lowest 
seams of coal ; and the St. Louis and Keokuk divisions of the 
Lower Carboniferous limestones. 

Tlie entire area of this county, except the valleys of the 
streams, is covered with beds of Quaternary age, ranging from 
thirty to a hundred feet or more in thickness, and presenting the 
same general features that have been given as characteristics of 
this formation in the reports on the adjoining counties. Good 
natural exposures of these are but rarely found here, and the ob- 
server is compelled to rely mainly on such information as can be ob- 
tained from the well diggers, or others engaged in surface excava- 
tions, as to their thickness and general character. In the railroad 
cut on the north bank of Crooked creek, just below Colmar, the 
following section of Qaateruary bods was seen : 

Soil 1 to 2 feet. 

Ash colored marley clay (loess) 8 to 10 '• 

lleddish-brown clay 5 " 

Sand and gravel, partially stratified 15 to 20 " 

This exposure is considerably below the general level of the 
prairie, and the beds seem to have been subjected to some shifting 
process since its original deposition, giving to it the general char- 
acteristics of "modified drift." In the shafts of Colchester the 
drift clays generally range from thirty-five to forty feet in thick- 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 141 

ness, and consists of buff or brown clays, with gravel and bould- 
ers, passing downward at some points into blue clays, or "hard 
pan." Boulders of metamorphic rocks, of various kinds, and of 
all sizes up to a diameter of two or three feet, are scattered in 
considerable numbers in all the gulches and streams that cut 
through the drift beds, and are most abundant in the lower part 
of the drift deposits. Ko indication of the presence ot an ancient 
soil underneath either the loess or drift was seen at any of the 
points visited in this county ; nor did we learn that it had been 
observed by any one else. The wells are seldom sunk to the bot- 
tom of the drift, and hence afford no indications ot what may un- 
derlie the boulder clays. At Bushnell a boring for coal passed 
through 112 feet of these Quaternary deposits before reaching the 
bed rocks, in the following order : 

No. 1 soil 2 feet 

No. 2 yellow clay 12 " 

No. 3 sand 2 " 

No. 4 blue boulder clay 61 " 

No. 5 blue and yellow sand 35 " 

112 

This is probably twice as much as the average thickness of the 
deposits in this county — the drill having evidently penetrated an 
old valley, where from sixty to seventy feet of Coal Measure strata 
had been removed by erosion, and the valley thus formed 
subsequently filled with the transported material. The average 
thickness of the drift deposits probably does not exceed fifty feet. 

Coal Measures. — All the uplands in the county are underlaid by 
the Coal Measures except a limited area on Crooked creek, in the 
southwestern corner of the county, embracing nearly the whole of 
township 4 north, range 4 west, (Lamoine) and the south-western 
portion of township 5 north, range 4 west, (Tennessee). The beds 
composing the lower portions of the Coal Measures, as they are 
developed in this county, give the following sections : 

No. 1. Sandstone and sandy shales, partly ferruginous 20 to 30 fee t 

No. 2. Band of calcareous shale, with lenticular masses of dark blue 

limestone, containing VcrdioHdrji/Kt Jfiaxoiiriensis 2 to 3 '• 

No. 3. Coal No. 3 2 to 3 " 

No. 4. Sandy shale and soft sandstone 35 to 40 " 

No, 5. Bluish clay shale, filled with fossil ferns /4 ^ ^ " 

No. G. Coal No. 2 2 to 21^ " 

No. 7. Bituminous fire clay 2 " 

No. 8. Gray clay shale 6 " 

No. 9. Septaria limestone 3 '' 

No. 10. Variegated shales, purple, yellow and blue 18 to 20 " 

No, 11. Sandstone passing locally into shale 10 to 15 '* 

No. 12. Coal No. 1, sometimes replaced with slate or blue shale 1 to 3 " 

No. 13. Fire clay, sometimes replaced by sandy shale 2 to 3 " 

No. 14. Quartzose sandstone, conglomerate 5 to 20 " 



142 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

These beds Lave a maximum thickness of about 150 feet, and 
consequently a boring anywhere in the county, carried down to a 
depth of two hundred feet from the surface, w^ould pass entirely 
through the coal measures, and determine the amount of coal 
that could be found at that point. ]^o coal seam is worked at the 
present time, except No. 2, or the Colchester coal; and it seemed 
to us quite probable that neither 1 nor 3 is developed in the 
county 80 as to be of any value to the industrial interests of its 
people. In the vicinity of Colchester the limestone and calcare- 
ous shale usually found above coal No. 3 out-crops in the brakes 
of the ravines west of the town, but no indications of the presence 
of coal w^as seen. The concretionary or lenticular masses of dark 
blue limestone were found quite abundant here, and they afforded 
Cardiomorpha, Missouriensis in great numbers, associated with 
Discina nitida, Productus muricatus, P. Prattenianus, Pleuroto- 
maria sphaerulata, Aviculopecten rectalaterarea, two or three spe- 
cies of small Goniatites, fossil wood, and the spine of a fish Listra- 
canchus hystrix. We also obtained from one of these limestone 
concretions, associated w'ith the fossil wood above mentioned, a 
fossil fruit, shaped somewhat like an elongated pecan nut, the re- 
lations of which have not yet been determined. These limestone 
concretions have been found in Fulton and Schuyler counties 
overlaying coal No. 3, and affording most of the species of fossil 
shells obtained from it here ; so that there seems scarcely a doubt 
but that it here represents the horizon of that coal. It is quite 
probable that in the eastern, and especially in the southeastern 
portion of the county, coal No. 3 may be found sufficiently devel- 
oped to be worked to advantage. The shale and sandstone above 
this coal. No. 1 of the foregoing section, w^e only saw in the vicin- 
ity of Colchester, wdiere about ten feet in thickness of sandy, 
ferruginous shales overlay the limestone concretion above men- 
tioned. No. 4 of the foregoing section is well exposed on the 
ravines leading into the east fork of Crooked Creek, west of Col- 
chester, but it is everywhere a sandy shale, with some thin lay- 
ers of sandstone, but affords no material of any economical value. 
The calcareous shale associated with the limestone in No. 2 of 
the above section is, at some points near Colchester, quite full of 
small fossil shells, among which the Spirifer plano-convexus was 
the most abundant, associated with S. lineatus, Chonetes meso- 
loba, Productus muricatus, Pleurotomaria, Grayvillensis, a small 
Macrocheilus, and fragments of a Nautilus. 



HISTORY OF m'uONOUGH COUNTY. 143 

Xo. 5 of the above section torms the roof of the Colchester coal, 
and is a true clay shale at the bottom, and locally quite bitumin- 
ous, becoming sandy higher up, and gradually passes into the 
sandy shales of No. 4. It contains ironstone concretions similar 
to those at Mazon creek and Murphysboro, though usually not so 
perfectly formed, and they contain fossil ferns of the same species 
found at those localities. The shales also iire filled with beautiful 
ferns, in a remarkably fine state of preservation; and this locality 
may be reckoned as one among the best in the State for collecting 
these beautiful relics of an ancient vegetable world. Two speci- 
mens of fossil insects and two or three species of shells have been 
found associated with the fossil ferns at this locality. The follow- 
ing list comprises all the species of fossil plants that have been 
identified at Colchester to the present time : [N'europteris hirsuta, 
N. tenuifolia, IST. rarinervis, Alethopteris aquilina, Callipteris Sul- 
livantii, Pecopteris squamosa, P. villosa, P. unita, P. plumosa, P. 
chierophylloides, Sphenopteris irregularis, S. trifoliata, Hymeno- 
phyllites alatus, H. Spinosus, 11. splendens, II. Gutbierianus, H. 
thallyformis, Cordaites borassifolia, C. angustifolia, Spenophyllum 
8chlotheimii, S. emarginatum, S. cornutum, Annularia longifolia, 
A. sphenophylloides, Asterophyllites equisetiformus, Calamites 
ramosus, C. approximatus, C. undulatus, Selaginites uncinnatus, 
S. carifolius, Lepidodendron diplotegioides, L. simplex, L. obova- 
tuni, L. gracile, Ulodendron majns, U. ellipticum, Lepidophloios 
obcordatum, Lepidostrobus princeps, Lepidophyllum auriculatum, 
Sigillaria monostigma, Stigmaria ficoides, S. umbonata, Pinnularia 
capillacea, Caulopteris obtecta, C acantophora, Carpolithes multi- 
striatus. • Owing to the thinness of the coal, the roof shales are 
removed in driving the entries to the mines, thus affording a fine 
opportunity for collecting the many beautiful fossil plants that 
they contain. The thickness of the coal at this locality varies 
from twenty-four to thirty inches, and at the level of the prairie 
it lies from seventy-five to ninety feet below the surface. On all 
the branches west of Colchester the coal out-crops, and is worked 
by tunneling into the hillsides. The city of Quinc3% as well as 
most of the small towns along the Chicago, Burlington and 
Quincy railroad south of Bushnell, have for many years derived 
their supplies of coal mainly from the Colchester mines. 

In the vicinity of Macomb the Colchester coal seam has not yet 
been found of sufficient thickness to be worked. About a mile 
and a half southwest of the town a thin coal out-erops above the 



144 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

sandstone quarries of Mr. Stewart, which I am inclined to regard 
as the Colchester seam, though it is here only a})out one foot in 
thickness. This may, however, be an out-crop of the lower seam 
number one, but from the appearance of the sandstone I believe 
it to be number two, thinned out here to about one-half its usual 
thickness. 

In the vicinity of Colchester a very good sandstone is found 
below the coal, and from ten to fifteen feet in thickness. It is 
number eleven of the foregoing section. This I believe to be the 
equivalent of the sandstone at Stewart's, and the old McLean 
quarries near Macomb. A section of the beds exposed in the 
vicinity of these quarries show the following succession of strata : 

Thin coal 1 foot. 

Shaly clay 2 feet. 

Thin-bedded sandstone 1 to 6 " 

Massive sandstone 10 to 12 " , 

Bituminous shale (coal No. 1) 4 " 

Carbonate of iron i.^ " 

Fire clay J^ « 

Bituminous slate or shale % " 

Shale 5 " 

The horizon of coal JSTo. 1 is here occupied by Bituminous shales 
and a six inch band of carbonate of iron. In the vicinity of Col- 
chester, at most of the out-crops we examined, the same horizon 
was represented by dark blue shades (No. 12 of the section previ- 
ously given) containing nodules of iron ore inclosing crystals of 
zinc blende. On the southwest quarter of section 24, town 5 
north, rangs 4 west, (Tennessee) the following beds were found 
exposed in connection with coal No. 1 : 

Shaly sandstone 4 feet. 

Coal No. 1 2 " 

Fire clay — not exposed. 

Shaly sandstone IG " 

St. Louis limestone G " 

Although we did not findthislower coal developed at any of the 
exposures examined in the vicinity of Colchester, yet it was found by 
Mr. Ilorrocks at his tile and fire-brick kiln, not more than a mile 
from the town, and was struck in one of the pits sunk for fire- 
clay. It was found to be about a foot in thickness only, and was 
associated with an excellent fire-clay, and was here about forty- 
five feet below coal No. 2. Below Ilorrock's brick and tile kilns 
on the same stream a band of ferruginous sandstone, or rather a 
sandy iron ore, was found, about six inches in thickness, filled 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 149 

with fosail shells, among which a large Disciiia was the most 
abundant, associated with Ilemipronites crenistria, Athyris sub- 
tilita, Spirifer opimus, S. Keutuckensis, and some other undeter- 
mined species. This was no doubt a local deposit, and probably 
represents the band of iron ore occurring in Schuyler and Fulton 
counties, associated with coal Ko. 1. Tliis band of iron ore oc- 
curs just at the junction of beds numbered 13 and 14 of the gen- 
eral eection of the coal-bearing strata, on a preceding page. 

On section 24, town 5 north, range 4 west [Tennessee], south- 
west quarter of the section, a coal seam was opened as early as 
1853, when we first visited this county, on land then owned by 
Mr. Lowry. The coal was from eighteen inches to two feet in 
thickness, overlaid by a few feet of shaly sandstone. Below the bed 
of coal there was about sixteen feet of sandstone exposed, and a 
short distance up the creek the concretionary limestone is exposed, 
underlying the sandstone. This I have no doubt is the lower coal 
(Xo. l),and it will no doubt be found at many points in the county 
ranging from one to three feet in thickness. 

At this time coal was also dug on Mr. Thompson's place, on the 
northeast quarter of section 16, town 4 north, range 8 west 
[Bethel]. The seam at this point was thirty inches thick, butwas 
only exposed in the bed of the creek, with no out-crop of the as- 
sociated beds. This is also, without doubt, the lower seam, as the 
concretionary member of the St. Louis limestone was found out- 
cropping on the creek a short distance below where the coal was 
found. On the northwest quarter of section 33, town 4 north, 
range 3 west [Bethel], a coal seam w^as opened and worked in 
1858 on land then owned by Mr. J. Stoneking. The coal was 
worked by "stripping" in the bed of a small creek, and the coal 
ranged from eighteen to twenty inches in thickness, and was over- 
aid by about two feet of gray shale. 

These two lower seams also out-crop on Job's creek, near 
Blandinsville, and have been worked from the first settlement of 
the county. They out-crop also on nearly all the tributaries on 
the east tork of Crooked creek, and probably underlie at least 
seven-eighths of the entire area of the county. They seldom at- 
tain a thickness of three feet, however, in this portion of the State, 
but they are nowhere more than one hundred to one hundred and 
seventy-five feet below the surface of the general level of the 
prairie. No. 3, if developed anywhere in the county, will prob- 
H— 10 



150 HISTORY OF m'donough county. 

ably be found in the eastern range of townships, and would be the 

first seam reached in sinking a shaft or boring from the prairie level. 

At Bushnell, a boring for coal at the steam mill passed through 

the following beds, as represented by those in charge of the work : 

1. Soil 2 feet. 

2. Yellow clay 12 

0. Sand 2 

4. Blue clay with boulders 01 •• 

.'>. Blue and yellow sand . . • • • • 3") 

(1. Sandstone 5 " 

7. Clay shale li.< '• 

8. Black shale i| '• 

9. Gray shale 34 " 

10. Limestone 9 " 

11. Shale 1 

1(33 

The beds numbered 1 to 5 inclusive belong to the drift, and 
show an aggregate thickness of one hundred and twelve feet, in- 
dicating the existence of an old valley here, in which the Coal 
Measures have been cut away down to a point below the horizon 
■of the Colchester coal, and which was subsequently filled with 
drift deposits, and consequently that coal which should have been 
found at a depth of fifty to seventy feet below the surface at this 
point, was not met with at all. The limestone l^o. 10 of the 
above sections is probably the bed overlaying the Seaville coal. 
The extent and direction of this old valley we have no data for 
determining at the present time, but it is probably a lateral arm 
of the Spoon river valley, and most probably trends southeast- 
wardly into the valley of that stream. At Prairie City a boring 
was carried down to the depth of 222 feet, passing through the 
following beds, as reported by Mr. T. L. Magee : 

1. Soil and drift clays 30 feet. 

2. Clay shale or •' soapstone '' 16 

3. Black shale }4 " 

4. Coal No. 2 1% " 

.5. Fire clay 4 " 

C. Shale and sandstone 12 " 

7. Clay shale 38 " 

8. Hard rock (limestone) 11 " 

9. Shale 4 '• 

10. White flint 1 "■ 

11. Shale 10 '• 

11. Coal No. 1 3 

13. Fireclay 6^.^ '• 

14. Hard rock .5 '■ 

15. Clay shale 8 

16. Sandstone 4 " 

17. Dark gray shale 8 " 

18. Clay shale (light colored) 14 «• 

19. Limestone (St. Louis bed) ^^^o " 

222 



HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGH COUNTY. 151 

In the foregoing sections the beds numbered from 2 to 18 
inclusive belong to tlie Coal Measures, and include the two lower 
■coals. Xo. 19 is undoubtedly the St. Louis limestone Avhich out- 
crops on Spoon river just below Seaville, about eight miles east ot 
Prairie City, At Lawrence's mound, at an elevation considerably 
above the surface where the above boring was made, a coal seam 
three feet in thickness was found in digging a well, which was 
probably Xo. 3., occurring here as an outlier left by the denuding 
forces which swept it away from the surrounding region. It lay 
immediately below the drift, with no roof but gravel, and covered 
but a limited area of ground. 

At Macomb, a boring, carried to the depth of about 160 feet, 
failed to find any coal of sufficient thickness to be of any econo- 
mical value. From these experiments, it would seem that the 
lower coals in this county are not very uniform in their develop- 
ment, and probably neither No. 1 nor ]*s^o. 3 will be found over 
any considierable area thick enough to be worked to advantage, 
while Xo. 2 is also too thin to be worked at some points, 
though it may be considered the most persistent and reliable seam 
to be found in this county. 

*S^^ Louis Limestone. — This division of the Lower Carboniferous 
series is probably nowhere in this county more than fifty feet in 
thickness, and consists, first, of a bed of light-gray concretionary 
or brecciated limestone, laying immediately below the lower 
sandstone of the Coal Measures ; and secondly, of a magnesian 
limestone and some blue shales or calcareous sandstones, con- 
stituting what is sometimes called the "Warsaw limestone." 
On the east fork of Crooked creek, a little north of west from 
Colchester, the following sections of these limestones may be seen : 

No. 1 Brecciated light-grey limestone ."j to 20 feet. 

No. 2 Calcareous sandstone, in regular beds 12 •• 

No. 3 Bluish shale 3 '" 

The magnesian bed, which usuall}'^ forms the base of this group, 
is below the surface here and generally ranges from eight to ten 
feet in thickness. The brecciated limestone is very unevenly 
developed, and often varies in thickness in a short distance from 
five to twenty feet or more. It rarely affords any fossils ex- 
cept the common corals Lithostrotion, canadense and L. pro- 
liferum, silicious specimens of which are often found weathered 
out along the creeks where this limestone out-crops. No fossils 
were seen in the calcareous sandstone, but the mas^nesian lime- 



152 HISTORY OF m'donough county. 

stone that out-cro[»s lower down on the creek, and underlies the 
blue shale in the above section, usually contains a variety of Bry- 
ozoans, among which are the Archimides AVortheni, Polypora 
Varsoeiense, Semicoscinium, Keyserlingi, etc. 

Keokuk Limestone — This is the lowest rock exposed in the county, 
and is only found along the blufis of Crooked creek, in townships- 
4 and orange 4 west (Lamoin and Tennessee). The upper part 
of this formation is usually a bluish calcareo argillaceous shale,, 
containing silicious geodes either filled with a mass of crystaline 
quartz, or hollow and lined within quartz crystals, mammillary 
chalcedony, calcite and dolomite. Below this geode bed there is 
usually from thirty to forty feet of cherty gray limestone, the 
layers varying in thickness from a few inches to two feet or more» 
and separated by partings of shale. The limestone beds consist 
mainly of the remains of organic beings, the corals, the crinoids, 
and mollusca that swarmed in countless numbers in the primeval 
ocean; and the old quarries of limestone aftbrd a rich field for the- 
student wbo desires to become fully acquainted with the varied 
and peculiar organic forms of this period. South of Colmar the 
grade of the C, B. & Q. railroad cuts into the upper part of 
this limestone to the depth of several feet, and from the material 
throw^n out from this cut we obtained many specimens of the 
characteristic fossils of this limestone in an excellent state of pres- 
ervation. The upper layers of the limestone had been freely ex- 
posed to the erosive action of the water during the drift period,, 
and many of the silicious fossils were found completely weathered 
out from the shaly limestones, and in a most perfect state of pres- 
ervation. Among the fossils found at this locality were many 
specimens of Laphrentis dalii, Spirifer Keokuk, S. lineatus, S. 
sub-orbicularis, Agaricocrinus, Americanus, Actinocrinus bi-tur- 
binatus, Cyathocrinus stellatus, Archimides, Owenana, Hemipro- 
nites crenistria, Phillipsia, Fortlockii, several species offish teeth^ 
etc. The lower portion of this limestone is usually below the 
level of the creek bottoms, but the upper portion is well exposed 
on the main creek in township 4 north, range 4 west (Lamoine), and 
on the east fork in township 5 north, range 4 west (Tennessee). 
In the region south of Colmar the geodiferous shales and the St. 
Louis limestone have all been removed by denudation before the 
depost of the drift, and the boulder clays noAV rest directly upon 
the upper part of the Keokuk limestone. A complete section of 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY 153 

all the limestones below the coal measures in this county would 
ahow the following order of succession and thickness: 

Light gray brecoiated limestone 5 to 20 feet. 

■Calcareous sandstone 12 " 

Magnesian limestone and shale 10 to 12 '• 

Oeodiferous shales of the Keokuk bed 20 to 30 " 

Light gray cherty limestone 30 to 40 " 

ECONOMICAL GEOLOGY. 

Coal. — As may be seen from a perusal of the foregoing pages, 
a large portion of this county is underlaid with coal, and although 
the seams that are found here are much thinner than some of those 
that outcrop in Schuyler and Fulton counties, yet they have not 
only furnished an abundant supply of coal for home consumption, 
but for many years have furnished many thousands of tons annu- 
ally for shipment south and west to the adjoining counties. The 
shipment from Colchester alone for the years 1866 and '67 was 
about 500,000 tons per annum, and the product of the mines have 
been constantly on the increase. The coal obtained here is of an 
excellent quality, if taken out at some distance from the outcrop, 
where it has not been exposed to atmospheric influences. The 
coal is tolerably hard, bright, and comparatively free from pyrite, 
and breaks freely into cubic blocks when mined. 

An analysis of this coal by Mr. Henry Pratten, as reported in 
Dr. Norwood's " Analysis of Illinois Coals," gave the following 
results : 

Specific gravity 1.290 

Loss in coking 41.2 

Total weight of coke 58.8 

100.0 

ANALYSIS. 

Moisture 5.4 

Volatile matters 35.8 

Carbon in coke 56.8 

Ashes (light gray) 2.0 

100.0 
Carbon in coal 60.10 

This analysis shows this to be one of the best coals in the State, 
and its freedom from pyrite has always made it a favorite coal 
with blacksmiths of this and the adjoining counties. The coal 
from the lower seam is usually harder than that from the Col- 
chester seam, and less uniform in quality. Its thickness is also 
more variable and frequently the coal is wanting altogether, and 



154 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

its place occupied by bituminous shales. l!^evertheles8, it some- 
times attains a thickness of three feet, as at Seaville, in Fulton 
county, and the coal obtained there is of a fair quality. It is 
quite probable that this seam may be found in some of the eastern 
townships in this county as thick as it is at Seaville, and if so, it 
might be worked to advantage, as its depth below the surface 
would probably nowhere exceed two hundred feet. 

]^o. 3, it found at all in this county, would be met with in the 
uppermost layers of the bed rock, and immediately underneath 
the boulder clays, except at a few ppints, where it might be over- 
laid by a few feet of sandstone or sandy shale. It is less persist- 
ent in its development, however, than either of those below it, 
but its proper horizon may be readily recognized by the dark blue 
limestone and bituminous shales that are nearly always present, 
even when there is no development of the coal itself. 

A boring carried down to the depth of two hundred feet would 
probably pass entirely through the Coal Measures in any portion 
of the county, and in the western part the subordinate lime- 
stone would be reached at a depth of one hundred aiid fifty 
feet or less, when the light gray brecciated limestone of the St. 
Louis group is reached, it is useless to bore further in search of 
coal, and this limestone is so decidedly different in its appearance 
from any of the limestones in the lower part of the Coal Meas- 
ures, that an expert would find no difiiculty in identifying it, even 
by the smallest fragments taken up by the sand pump. Hence it 
forms a reliable guide, both where it out-crops and where it may 
be reached by the drill, and determines the point below which no 
coal can be found. 

Fire-Clay. — The fire-clay under the Colchester coal has been 
used by Mr. Horrocks, at his kiln west of the town, for the man- 
ufacture of drain tile, fire-brick, etc., but recently he has obtained 
a better quality of fire-clay by sinking a shallow shaft down to 
the lower or No. 1 coal, which, at his kiln, is about forty-five feet 
below the Colchester seam. The horizon of this lower coal fur- 
nishes an excellent article of fire and potter's clay in various por- 
tions of the State, and it may, no doubt, be found at many points- 
in this county, besides the one where it is at present worked. 

Iron Ore. — There is a band of iron ore, very generally devel- 
oped in connection with coal No. 1, and indications of its presence 
were observed at several points in this county, though not in suf- 



HISTORY OF ;\i'D0N0UGH COUNTY. 155 

ficient quantity to justify an attempt to work it at the jircsent 
time. On the creek below Ilorrock's brick kiln it is about 
six inches thick, but too sandy to be of much value, even if the 
quantity was greater. On the creek west of Macomb, a band of 
very pure iron ore occurs, about six inches thick, and it is quite 
probable it may be found somewhere in the county of sufficient 
thickness to be of some economical importance. In Schuyler 
county, there are two or three bands of ore associated with the 
same coal, attaining there an aggregate thickness of about two 
feet, and yielding on analysis about 52 per cent, of protoxide of 
iron. The ore is an argillaceous carbonate of iron, and compares 
favorably in quality with the best Pennsylvania ores. 

On Mr. D. C. Flint's place in Mound township, a deposit of 
bog iron ore of good quality is found, which is reported to be sev- 
eral feet in thickness, but the area covered by it has not been as- 
certained. Should it prove sufficiently extensive and pure as the 
sample sent to my office, it is a valuable deposit. 

Building Stone. — The central and the western portions of the 
county have an abundant supply of free stone from the sandstone 
bed intervening between coals ISTo. 1 and 2. This is usually from 
ten to twelve feet in thickness, the upper part thin-bedded and 
quarrying out in thin, even slab's, suitable for flags, while the 
lower part is quite massive, and splits evenly. At Stewart's quar- 
ries, two miles west of Macomb, there is about twelve feet in 
thickne&s exposed in the face of the quarry. The rock is a rath- 
er coarse grained sandstone, nearly white in color, and furnishes 
a very durable material for foundation walls, and is also easily cut 
and may be advantageously used for all ordinary architectural 
purposes. 

At these quarries the rock is very massive, but at the old Mc- 
Lean quarries, about a half a mile to the westward of Stewart's, 
the sandstone is more regularly bedded, the layers varying from 
four to twelve inches or more in thickness. This sandstone is 
equivalent of that on the T., P. and W. Kailroad west of Soaville, 
in Fulton county, and is very similar in quality. Some of the 
beds seem to be sufficiently even-textured for grindstones. The 
raagnesian and arenaceous beds of the St. Louis group will afford 
the best material for culverts and bridge abutments that can be 
found in the State, as they are scarcely at all affected by the action 
of frost and moisture. The gray limestones of the Keokuk series 



156 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

make a durable building stone if protected from Avater, but split 
to fragments on exposure to ordinary atmospheric agencies. The 
brecciated limestone will make an excellent macadamizing mate- 
rial for the construction of turnpike roads, or for ballasting our 
railroads. 

Limestone for Lime. — Good limestone for burning into quick- 
lime may be obtained from the lower division of the Keokuk, 
and from the brecciated bed of the St. Louis group. AYhere the 
former is used, it should be selected with some care, as a portion 
of the beds contain too large a per cent, of argillaceous or silicious 
matter to slack readily when burned, and would yield only an 
inferior quality of lime. The light gray semi-crystalline laj^ers 
are the best for this purpose, and will make a quicklime of good 
quality. The brecciated limestone is, however, in many respects 
the best rock in the county for this purpose, as it is usually a 
nearly pure carbonate of lime in its composition and can be 
burned at less expense, and makes a quicklime of superior quality. 
This limestone may be found on most of the tributaries of Crooked 
creek, and on the east fork as far north as the vicinity of 
Colchester. 

Sand and Clay for Brick. — The sub-soil, where it is predicated 
upon the marly beds of the loess, supplies these materials in 
nearly the right proportion for the brick yard ; and when defi- 
cient in sand, this may be easily supplied either from the creek 
bottoms or sandy beds interstratitied with the drift clays. These 
materials are so universally distributed that there is scarcely a 
neighborhood in the county where they may not be readily found 
at hand. 

Soil and Agriculture. — There is not much variety in the general 
character of the soils in this county, and there is no considerable 
portion of its surface that will not bring good crops of the various 
cereals usually cultivated in this latitude, without other stimulants 
than those contained in the soil itself. The prairie soil is a dark, 
chocolate-colored loam, appearing nearly black w^hen wet, and 
produces excellent crops of corn, wheat, oats, barley and grass, 
and where a proper rotation of crops has been the rule, no per- 
ceptible decrease in the annual product has been observed, even 
on lands that have been under constant cultivation for the last 
twenty-five or thirty years. The timbered lands are generally 
confined to the creek valleys, and broken ridges adjacent thereto. 



HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGH COUNTY. 157 

The soil on these timbered ridges is usually thin, but they are 
excellent fruit lands, and will produce fair crops of wheat, oats 
and clover, but they require manuring if subjected to long con- 
tinued cultivation. These thin soils are predicated upon the boul- 
der clays, and the timber growth is mainly black and white oak 
and hickory; and their uneven surface does not retain the vege- 
table and animal matters that are annually deposited upon them, 
but on the contrarj^ these are swept away by the annual rains 
into the adjacent valleys, while on the level prairies they are re- 
tained, and add from year to year their fertilizing properties to 
the soil. The bottomlands on Crooked creek are very limited in 
extent, and are mostly subject to overflow. They afford some 
fine timber, the varieties of which have been enumerated on a pre- 
ceding page. 



158 HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGH COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XV. 



TEMPERANCE. 



McDonougli county, like every other organized territory, has 
had its "teniperance revivals," its seasons of drunkenness and 
seasons of sobriety. As stated in the first part of this work, one 
of the first acts of our Board of County Commissioners was the 
licensing of taverns, places where intoxicating liquors might be 
sold. Then, everybody drank ; not to do so, was to set yourself 
above your neighbor and become his judge, a state of things 
which was not to be encouraged. When the first barrel of whisky 
was brought to Macomb there were but two ministers of the gos- 
pel residing in the place, and both got "gloriously drunk" when 
it was tapped. The first license was granted to a preacher, 
and for years this class took their toddy along with other folks. 
^Notwithstanding we are told now that whisky in those days was 
very pure, it made a surprising number of drunkards, and when 
the Washingtonian movement swept over the country it is not to 
be wondered at that this county was struck by a huge wave and 
driven along with the tide. 

In the winter of 1841-42, two gentlemen from Quincy, Illinois, 
came to the county seat, proclaiming themselves missionaries of 
this movement, secured the Methodist Episcopal church for lec- 
turing purposes. On the first evening of meeting a large concourse 
of people assembled to hear what they had to say, as they seemed 
to be setters-forth of a new doctrine, strange to their ears. A 
chairman was desired for the occasion, and with great difficulty 
one was obtained, and he only on the promise made him by the 
speakers that they would not urge him personally to sign the 
pledge. The speakers held forth to a wondering audience, keep- 
ing them alternately laughing and crying, as the ludicrous or 
sorrowful side of the drunkard's life was portrayed. At the con- 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 159 

elusion of the addresses, those who desired to do so were invited 
to sign the pledge. The chairman of the meeting Avas the first to 
affix his name to the document, followed by many others, some of 
whom, we know, have been consistent temperance men ever since. 

Open temperance organizations were wholly adopted for carry- 
ing on tlie temperance work until the year 1848, when a charter 
was obtained for a Division of the Sons of Temperance, at Ma- 
comb, an organization which at that time was being extensively 
introduced all over the country. This was a secret organization, 
composed of males eighteen years old and upwards. In a short 
time this organization had its Divisions all over the county, two 
very strong ones existing in Macomb at the same time. In the 
latter place, in conjunction with two other parties, these Divis- 
ions erected what at that time was regarded as a very fine build- 
ing, on the south side of the square, the lower part to be used as 
store rooms, and the upper part as a hall for the meetings of the 
Divisions. From some cause the Divisions weakened and soon sus- 
pended, their hall was sold, and in a few short years that which 
Avas erected for the purpose of advancing the interests of temper- 
ance and morality was converted into a den for making drunkards. 

When the Sons of Temperance began to wane, the Good Tem- 
plars sprang into existence, and, in this county at one time, we 
believe, there were eighteen or twenty lodges, with a membership 
of nearly two thousand. This order differed from the Sous of 
Temperance in that it admitted both men and women, receiving 
as members all above the age of fifteen years. A good work was 
accomplished by them, the effects ot which will last throughout 
eternity. 

Other organizations have existed at times, both open and secret, 
each working with some efi'ectin its peculiar field of labor. Con- 
nected with the Sons of Temperance was the Daughters of Tem- 
perance, designed for the wives and daughters of the Sons ; also 
the Cadets of Temperance, for youths. The Temple of Honor 
also flourished for awhile. This was an organization combining 
the benevolent features of the Odd Fellows and Masons, with 
temperance as a cardinal virtue. The Good Templars for awhile 
had under their control a very effective juvenile organization, 
called the Cold Water Templars, which instilled temperance prin- 
ciples in the minds of many children, which, it is hoped, will be as 
lasting as eternity. Various other temperance organizations have 



160 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

existed at dilierent times and in different places, each endeavoring 
to accomplish a special work. 

In 1854: the temperance men ran a candidate for member of 
the Legislature, Hon. L. H. Waters, who was elected by a small 
majority. This, we believe, is the only instance where a candi- 
date was ever put forward by temperance men for a general office. 
For a number of years past, in our cities and towns, the temper- 
ance men have either put forward recognized temperance men for 
the local offices, and voted for them as such, or have been content 
to vote direct upon the question of license or no license, allowing 
the political parties of the day to nominate such men as they 
chose, while pledging them to carry out the will of the people as 
expressed at the ballot box. 

Although intemperance exists among us to an ordinary extent, 
in common with the rest of the country, we know it has greatly 
decreased within the last thirty years. We do not believe that, 
according to population, there are one-fourth as many drunkards 
in our midst as there were at an early day. This leads us further 
to declare we do not believe the efforts put forth by temperance 
people have been a failure in times past. That organizations have 
lived and flourished for awhile and then gone down, prove no- 
thing. All these organizations are but human instrumentalities, 
and are brought forth by the necessities of the hour. Their de- 
sign is to accomplish a certain purpose apparent at the time. It 
is not to be expected that they will be as enduring as the hills, or 
like the church, so strong that "the gates of hell shall not prevail 
against them." If they shall accomplish a good work for the 
time being, well and good. If it is found there is a radical defect 
in their organizations necessitating change, let it be made, and let 
let us not imagine, because they are defective and have not accom- 
plished all the good their most sanguine supporters anticipated, 
that nothing has been done. All over the country can be found 
sober, honest, and good men, who, but for the efforts put forth by 
the members of some temperance organization that has ceased to 
exist, would now All a drunkard's grave. Then, we would bid 
God-speed to every effort of temperance men and women, know- 
ing that as temperance increases our country will become more 
and more prosperous. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 161 



CHAPTER XVI. 

1857-1860. 

A called meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held May 11, 
1857, and continued in session three days. This was the first meeting 
ever held by the Board. John Price, of Eldorado, was elected 
Chairman yro tern., after which Jonathan H. Baker was elected 
permanent Chairman. Rules were adopted for the government of 
the Board, and business at once proceeded with. The following 
named persons responded to their names : John Price, Eldorado 
James H. Epperson, New Salem ; Samuel H.McCandless, Mound 
Alonzo L. Kimber, Prairie City ; Joel Pennington, Industry 
Isaac P. Monfort, Scotland; Jonathan H. Baker, Spring Creek 
D. I. Dungan, Walnut Grove ; James H. Dunsworth, Eagle Town ; 
Isaac McCowan, Erin Town ; William Heath, Sciota ; James Ma- 
guire, Macomb ; John S. Ilolliday, Lamoine ; Stephen A. White, 
Tennessee ; Ebenezer N. Hicks, Rock Creek ; William W, Moss, 
Blandinsville. George A. Taylor, Sheriff, and Isaac Grantham, 
Clerk, were also present. 

For several years previous to this time our county had enjoyed a 
season of unexampled prosperity. Emigration had poured in, and 
in less than five years we had more than doubled our population. 
The speculative fever raged high, and real estate advanced in a 
marvelous degree. 

Land which, before the railroad was projected, would not bring 
the government price, $1.25 per acre, now ranged from ^10 to $30, 
and that, too, without improvements of any kind. Town lots 
which before went begging at from $25 to $50, readily sold at 
from $200 to $500. Laborers were in great demand, buildings 
were erected by the hundred, and all seemed on the high road to 
wealth. In the year 1856 William II. Randolph & Co. opened a 



162 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

banking and exchange office in Macomb, and in an evil hour took 
stock to the amount of §20,000 in what afterwards proved to be a 
%vild cat bank of the worst species. The county was Hooded with 
the issues of this bank, though not all being of the series assumed 
by Messrs. Randolph & Co. The name of this institution w^as 
the !Nemalia Valley Bank, having a large number of stockholders 
throughout the county. Its plan of doing business was substan- 
tially as follows: Its stock was divided into a certain number of 
shares and sold to parties desiring them, the purchaser being en- 
titled to a certain amount of the bills of the bank in proportion 
to the number of shares held. The bills held by each contribu- 
ting purchaser constituted a series for which he was only to be 
held responsible, each redeeming the series assigned to himself. 
Arrangements were entered into by the holders of the different 
series to redeem the notes of each other when presented for pay- 
ment, and sending them in for redemption. This arrangement 
served to strengthen the confidence of the people in their sta- 
bility. 

This county was also flooded with the notes of the Platte Val- 
ley Bank, another institution of the same wild cat species. When 
the crash in 1858 came the notes of these banks were at once pre- 
sented to the different depositories for redemption. Messrs. Ran- 
dolph & Co., though having out but $20,000, continued to redeem 
until they had paid out over $25,000, and, then becoming satisfied 
that they would never be enabled to obtain anything from McCoy, 
the owner of the Nemaha Valley Bank, they were forced to sus- 
pend. Mr. Randolph's loss, we are reliably informed, was not 
less than $100,000 directly, and as much more indirectly, in con- 
sequences of the sacrifices he was compelled to make. 

The failure of Messrs. Randolph & Co., in connection with the 
panic throughout the whole country, operated heavily against the 
interests of this county. jSTearly all public and private improve- 
ments were suspended ; mechanics and laboring men were thrown 
out of employment; real estate depreciated in value, and mortga- 
ges given for securing payment on land were foreclosed, and the 
sufferings of the people were very general. ^Notwithstanding all 
this, they soon rallied, and an era of prosperity began again. 

The Board of Supervisors, at its first session, })laced the license 
for the sale of intoxicating liquors at $300 per annum. Petition 
after petition was sent in during the year, and an effort wae 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 163 

made by some of the Board to reduce the amount. Like the un- 
fortunate woman with the unjust judge, they continued to plead 
until the patience of the members gave way and the license was 
made $50. 

On account of the large amount of repairs necessary to be 
made on the poor farm, an order was made at the September term 
of the Board to sell it, provided it could be sold for not less than 
^30 per acre. Eighty and one-third acres were afterward sold 
at this price. 

A clause in the charter of the city of Macomb, relieving it from 
taxation for county purposes, has always been a source of great 
trouble to the Board of Supervisors. The following is the pro- 
vision of the charter in question : 

The county of McDonough shall be exempt from the support of any citizen of said 
city who may become a pauper, but the City Council shall provide for the support and 
care of all paui^ers belonging to said city and pass such ordinances and regulations as 
they shall deem proper for the purpose thereof. The City Council shall also provide for 
the payment of all costs in the Circuit Court of McDonough county for the conviction 
of any citizen of said city for any criminal offense, and the prosecuting attorney's fees 
and jailor's fees, in case the same cannot be collected from the offenders. Or the City 
Council may provide for the payment to the county of McDonough, annually, of sueh 
sums as will be a fair proportion of the expenses of the county foi the Circuit Court of 
said county — the amount to be fixed by the City Council and the County Court of said 
county, and to be apportioned equitably and justly. In the consideration of the sup- 
port of paupers and the payment of the expenses and costs aforesaid, all the real estate 
within said city and all the personal property of the inhabitants of said city shall be 
exempt from all taxes for county purposes, except for paying the interest and finally the 
principal of the bonds of McDonough county, issued or hereafter to be issued as subscrip- 
tions for railroad stocks : j^vovided, that, upon the final payment of any such bonds, the 
said city shall be entitled to a pro rata amount of the stock for which they were given 
with said count}', according to the amount paid therefor by said city. 

In one way or another, at nearly every meeting of the Board, 
questions would arise with reference to this matter. The Board 
finally asked the State Legislature to repeal this clause of the city 
charter, which was accordingly done. 

By the contract with the Northern Cross railroad, the bonds and 
coupons given in aid of the said road, were made payable in New 
York. At the September term, 1859, of the Board of Supervi- 
sors, it was ordered that the coupons, due the following January, 
should be paid as usual. At the December term this order was 
rescinded, in consequence of a decision having been rendered by 
the Supreme Court of the State declaring that cities and counties 
have no right to make bonds issued in aid of railroads payable in 
the city of New York, (See 22 111. R., pp. 11:7), and that counties 



164 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

and cities, by such decision, are not legally bound on contracts to 
pay moneys anywhere else than at the city or county treasury. 
Contracts made to pay such indebtedness elsewhere than at said 
treasury are void, as the statutes of the State of Illinois do not 
authorize cities and counties to make a contract payable at any 
other place than at their treasury. (See 22 111. R., pp. 147-156.) 

In March, 1860, in the Supreme Court, or the United States 
District Court, suit was commenced by VanHofiman et at. against 
the county. At the June term of the Board of Supervisors Hon. 
James M. Campbell was authorized to employ counsel, and, in the 
name of the county, to defend this suit. Mr. Campbell employed 
Messrs, Goudy & Waite, of Chicago, to take charge of the case. 
Before a trial was had the Supreme Court of the State, in a trial 
between Johnson vs. Stark County, in a great measure overruled 
and revised the above decision. On learning this, Messrs. Goudy 
& "Waite advised Mr. Campbell to pay the judgment which would 
be rendered against the county in the case, audit was accordingly 
done. We cannot help but disapprove the action of our Board of 
Supervisors in this case. We think they did wrong in attempt- 
ing to shirk the payment of a just debt in the manner called for in 
the contract. It may be offered in extenuation that the directors 
of the railroad had defrauded the county out of the stock 
taken by it, but this would first have to be proven before it could 
be made to appear as a justification. 

At the December (1860) meeting of the Board, Mr. Hendricks, 
of Macomb, offered the following resolution, which, on motion, 
was adopted : 

Resolved, That the Board of Supervisors of the County of McDonough, Illinois, 
respectfully recommend to the favorable consideration of the Legislature of this State, 
at its next session, the passage of a law for the relief of the tax-payers of the State. 
That the Clerk of this Board be directed to forward copies of this resolution to our mem- 
bers of the Senate and House of llepresentatives. 

Everything then was at a low price; mechanics and laboring 
men were out of employment ; gold and silver Avas at a premium, 
and great difficulty was experienced in obtaining enough to pay 
taxes. In view of this fact, Mr. Hendricks, at the same session, 
offered the following resolution : 

Whereas, Pending the crisis of aff-.irs in this county, the low prices of products of 
the farmers, and want of employment for the mechanics and laborers, the citizens and 
tax -payers labor under great disadvantage in procuring ' gold and [silver to pay their 
taxes ; therefore. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 165 

Rcxolced. That the County Treasurer, Township Treasurer, and Town Collector be, and 
they are hereby, requested to receive in payment of the county revenues, town, school, 
and road tax the bankable currency of the banks of this State, which are recognized as 
having fully complied with the laws of Illinois, to the satisfaction of the State Auditor ; 
and that the collectors of towns above alluded to be required to pay over to the county 
treasury every week the collections each may have made in currency. 

The resolution was not adopted, but in lieu thereof the follow- 
ing : 

liesolced. That the several Town Collectors and the County Treasurer be. and they are 
hereby, requested to receive from and after January 28, 18Gl,in pay for county, school and 
town taxes, until the fifteenth day of March next, the notes of all solvent banks of the 
State of Illinois, the stockholders and officers of which have fully complied with the laws 
of this State ; and said Town Collectors are hereby requested to pay over weekly to the 
Coimty Treasurer all such sums as they may collect as aforesaid. 

In 1858 there was a great fall of rain, and the rivers and streams 
of the west were higher than ever before known, save in 1844. 
Crooked creek swelled to the proportion of a good sized river. 
June 3, of this year, William II. Franklin, of Macomb, while re- 
turning home from Missouri on horseback, came to this stream 
near the Horace Head farm, west of town, and hardly knew 
whether to cross or not, but deciding to make the attempt he 
urged his horse into the water, hoping to strike on the bridge. 
Unfortunately he missed it, and went down into the water. His 
horse turned to go back, but the stone abutment at the end of the 
bridge rose perpendicular upon either side, making this impossi- 
ble. He then resolved to sink his horse and swim for life. After 
swimming a short distance he reached some brush to which he 
clung for a moment or two, when, observing a huge drift of wood 
being swept toward him, he let go and struck out for a tree, the 
brunches of which he observed above the water. Having on two 
coats and a pair of heavy boots he could scarcely swim at all, but 
managed to reach the point which he w^as endeavoring to make. 
Climbing the branches of the tree as far as possible, he 
still found himself in the water. Thinking he would never be 
able to reach the sViore, he commenced hallooing as loud 
as possible, when his cries attracted the attention of a young son 
of Jesse Walker, who came down to the bank and answered bis 
call. Mr. F. told him to go ^t once for his father, when he was in- 
formed he was in town ; but the boy started for him. Meeting 
his father, the boy related the circumstances, when they both re- 
turned hurriedly to the stream. Mr. F., seeing the two could do 

n— 11 



166 iii.sTORY OF m'donou(;h county. 

nothing for him, told them to go to town and get six or eight 
hundred feet of rope and more help. About ten o'clock at night 
a large crowd from Macomb gathered on the bank and endeavored 
to cheer the almost drowning man with the assurance that they 
Avould soon rescue him. The current of the stream being so swift 
it was found impossible to reach him with the rope, when B. F. 
Martin and Orsamus Walker hurried back to town for the purpose 
of building a boat, while Andy Lewis, Benjamin Nayloranda man 
named Bromfield, went up the stream about three quarters of a 
mile, made a raft and floated down. Bromfield fell oft the raft 
and was swept down the stream, but was rescued. The effort to 
reach the man with the raft proving fruitless, nothing could be 
done until the arrival of the boat, which arrived at about three 
o'clock the next morning. Having been in the water for some ten 
hours, it was with difticulty Mr. F. could get in the boat which 
was rowed out to meet him. He has no desire to meet with an- 
other like experience. The horse, after making several attempts, 
final 1}' reached the shore some distance down the stream. 



HISTORY OK M'DOXOrr.H COUNTY. 16/ 



CHAPTER XVII. 

THE WAR — AT HOME. 

AVe now come to the year 1861, the first year of the great rebel- 
lion, and we note with pride the history of McDonough during the 
stirring events of the succeeding four years. True there are some 
things we wish might be forever blotted from the book of remem- 
brance, but such cannot be the case, and it becomes our duty, as 
a faithful historian, to record the facts as they occurred, trusting 
the time is past when bitter feelings will be engendered by recall- 
ing the scenes of those "days that tried men's souls." 

Politically, McDonough county has ever been close, neither one 
of the great parties, at any time being able, with confidence, to 
claim it as its own. Settled, as we have before stated, principally 
by emigrants from the Southern States, it could hardly be other- 
wise than that the sympathies of many would be with the South, 
and that ill-feeling would exist towards the Abolitionists. But 
notwithstanding all this, there beat within their breast a patriotism 
that made them forget mere party feelings and sectional lines in 
their greater love for the Union. Every^ star and every stripe 
in the old flag they loved with a devotion which afterwards ex- 
hibited itself on many a battle field. 

Many of our best and most patriotic citizens endeavored, b}' all 
the means within their power, to prevent the election of Abraham 
Lincoln to the Presidential chair, believing it would endanger the 
Union. Others, equally true, worked hard for his election, be- 
lieving it impossible that it should afford any pretext for the se- 
cession of the Southern States. When the dark war clouds began 
to spread over our countrj', each and every one hoped, even 
against hope, that they would soon pass away, and that peace and 
prosperity would continue to reign. But such was not to be the 
-case. On the twelfth day of April, 1861, the rebels, who for weeks 



168 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

had been erecting their batteries upon the shore, after demanding- 
of Major Anderson a surrender, opened fire upon Fort Sumpter. 
For hours an incessant cannonading was continued; the fort was 
being injured severely ; provisions were almost gone, and Major 
Anderson was compelled to haul down the old fiag — that flag 
which had seldom been lowered to a foreign foe, by rebel hands 
it was now trailed in the dust ! O, how the blood of patriotic men 
in the Xorth boiled when they learned of the outrage ! And no- 
where was greater indignation manifested than in McDonough 
county. Partisan feeling that had heretofore existed was now 
swept away, and in the language of the immortal Douglas, but 
two parties could exist — patriots and traitors. 

When the President issued his call for 75,000 men, McDonough 
county responded without dehi}^ ; and when the call, but a few 
days afterward, was made' for 300,000 more, others were ready to 
go forth in defense of their country. Meetings were held in vari- 
ous parts of the county, participated in by Democrats and Repub- 
licans, now only to be known as patriots, and resolutions were 
adopted setting forth in the strongest terms undying devotion to 
the Union. As showing the feeling existing at the time, we give 
the following: At Macomb, April 17, 1861, a large and enthusi- 
astic meeting was held, and a committee, consisting of Nelson 
Abbott, Charles Chandler, A. K. Lowry, W. E. Withrow, John 
Knappenberger and Carter Van Vleck, was appointed to prepare 
resolutions expressing the sense of the meeting. This committee 
consisted of three Democrats and three Republicans. They re- 
ported as follows : 

Wheeeas, War against the government of the United States has been commenced by 
the authorities of the so-called Confederate States, by assailing and reducing Fort Sump- 
ter, a fortress garrisoned and defended by United States soldiers, and under the sacred 
protection of the national flag ; and, 

Whereas, The president of the United States has issued his proclamation reciting 
that " the laws of the United States have been and are opposed in several states by 
combinations too powerful to be suppressed in the ordinary way," and calling for volun- 
teers to suppress said combination and execute the laws ; be it 

Resolved by the citizens of McDoMnigh county, icitlumt distinction of party, in mass 
meeting assembled, That it is the duty of all loyal and patriotic citizens, at whatever cost 
of blood and treasure, to sustain and support the constituted authorities of the United 
States in their lawful efforts to preserve the Union, maintain the integrity of the consti- 
tution and the supremacy of all the laws, and protect the federal capital and sustain the 
honor of our national flag. 

liesolred. That, while we would be glad to see such legislation adopted by the federal 
and state governments as would, if jiossible, bring about an honorable reconciliation 
between the citizens of the several states, yet we deem it the duty of our Legislature about 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 169 

to assemble to pass such laws as will render the general government speedy and efficient 
aid in all its lawful endeavors to carry out the objects indicated in the foregoing reso- 
lution. 

lifxolved. That the stars and stripes are the emblems of our country's liberties and 
honors, and wheresoever floating it is the duty of every American citizen to yield to that 
flag unconditional allegiance and undying devotion. 

At Colchester, April 19th, at a public meeting, they reported as 
follows : 

licxoiced, That we. the citizens of Colchester and vicinity, have no ill-feeling toward 
any political party, and say, with the immortal Clay, that we know no North — no South — 
no East — no West ; we know only the welfare of our country. 

Rcaolced, That, in view of our present crisis, we pledge our support to the administra- 
tion for the purpose of sustaining the government, the constitution, and the Union. In 
doing so we show them we are not degenerated sons of '76. 

At Foster's Point, on the evening of the twenty-seventh of 
April, the citizens assembled and adopted the following : 

Whereas. The government of these United States has been assailed — the flag of our 
country fired upon and dishonored — our country is severely threatened with destruction ; 
therefore, 

Jiesolced, That we. without respect to party, declare our undying devotion to the 
Union, the constitution, and the enforcement of the laws. 

Itesohed, That we know no government but our government, no country but oui' coun- 
try, and no flag but the stars and stripes of our honored sires. 

Other meetings were held in various parts of the county, and 
equally strong resolutions were passed. The people Avere thor- 
oughly aroused. About the twentieth of April a company num- 
bering one hundred and eight was formed at Macomb, and the 
following officers elected: Y. Y. Kalston, Captain; B. F. Tinck- 
ley. First Lieutenant; H. M. Bartholomew, Second Lieutenant. 
As the names of the conipany are given elsewhere, it is not neces- 
sary that we should repeat. J). P. Y-'ells had another company 
ready, when the two together left Macomb for Springfield, the 
place of rendezvous. They were escorted to the depot by about 
one thousand persons, and many were the tears shed and the 
hearty "God bless you !" given over the departure of loved ones. 
But there was not one of all that number who would have had 
any one of the departing l)oys turn back. Samuel Wilson, of 
Middletown, with another company, joined the two from Macomb 
at Colchester, and, together, the three proceeded to Springfield, 
from which place they were forwarded to Quincy, where the work 
of organizing the regiment was completed. 

For four long years, the organization of new companies and en- 
listment of men for old companies whose ranks had been deci- 
mated by disease and rebel l)ullets, was carried on. Gray -headed 



170 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

men, who bad almost reached three-score years and ten, and boys 
not yet out of their teens, went to the camp, and through the most 
urgent solicitation, were accepted and sworn into the service. 
Xeither age nor youth kept them back, and when rejected from 
either cause, or from physical inability, would insist on being re- 
ceived, believing themselves as capable of doing a soldier's duty 
as thousands who had already gone. Three thousand of as 
brave men as ever handled a musket or drew a sword, went out 
from this county, many, very many, never to return. If you go 
with me to the battle-iields of tlie South, we shall see how there 
fell at Donelson, Shiloh, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Chat- 
tanooga, Chickamauga, Atlanta, Vicksburg, and other places, those 
who were the pride of fond fathers, loving mothers, and unselfish, 
devoted wives. AYe shall see them dropping off, one by one, and 
often, without coffin or burial shroud, thrown into the cold 
ground, there to await the resurrection morn, and the re-union 
upon the other side of the River of Death. In many a home 
throughout the county we find the vacant chair, and Avitness the 
mournful look of those ever watching for one that cometh not. 
Upon our streets, day by day, we meet those wearing sleeveless 
garments, or walking in a way that tells too plainly that the sound 
of the footfall is not made b}'^ Hesh and blood. Inquire the reason, 
and we shall probably learn tliat while charging the enemies lines 
at Vicksburg, Shiloh, or elsewhere, a cannon ball deprived them of 
a limb. But no word of complaint do we hear; the only regret 
expressed being that it was not possible to do more for their 
country. 

While they were awa}' upon the tented field, the patriotic men 
and women at home were not idle. Although impossible to get 
the county to do anything in an official way for the relief of sol- 
diers' families, many, as private citizens, thoug'^.t it not only a duty 
but a blessed |)rivilege to render all the aid in their power. Dur- 
ing the entire four years of war, we think but little actual sufter- 
ing was experienced by anj^ at home on account of the absence of 
their natural protectors, who were serving chcir country. Fairs 
and festivals were held for the purpose of obtaining sanitary sup- 
plies for those in the field, and Soldiers' Aid Societies were con- 
tinually investigating and relieving the wants of the needy at 
home. 

Occasional!}^ word Avould be received of the gallant conduct 
upon the battle field of some company from this county, and al- 



HISTORY OF M'DONOUCill COUNTY. 171 

thoiigli hearts were niade sad ])y the fact tliat the blood of" 
many had been shed, yet all rejoiced that none failed to perform 
their duty. At the battle of Shiloh the 28th regiment distin- 
guished itself greatl}^ and the ranks of Co. D were decimated 
by the shot and shell of the enemy, but still they faltered not. 
At the first meeting of the Board of Supervisors held thereafter, 
Hon. James M. Campbell introduced the following resolution, 
which, on motion, was unanimously adopted : 

Jicftch't'd, That James M. Wallin. Esq.. the Chairman of this Board, be requested to 
procure and jiresent to Capt. G. L. Farwell, for his company D. 2Hth regiment. Illinois 
Volunteers, a national flag as a token of merit for distinguished patriotism in the battle 
of Shiloh, on the sixth and seventh of April last, on behalf of McDonough County, Illi- 
nois. 

On the twenty-sixth of May, 1863, Hon. B. R. Hampton pre- 
sented the following preamble and resolution to the Board, which, 
on motion of J. P. Updegraff, w^as adopted : 

Whereas. There has been a number of battles recently fought by General Grant's 
division of the army, between Jackson and Vicksburg ; and. 

Whekeas. Many of the citizens of McDonough county are soldiers in that division ; 
and, 

Whereas, The Sanitary Commission of Chicago have called upon the people of the 
State of Illinois for aid for the sick and wounded soldiers at Vicksburg ; therefore, 

Et'Kiilced. That we make an appropriation of one hundred dollars out of anj' county 
funds not otherwise appropriated, for the benefit of said sick and wounded soldiers, and 
the clerk is hereby directed to issue a county order for that amount, and send the money 
to the Chicago Sanitary Commission. 

During this year our armies met with a number of reverses, and 
doubts arose in the minds of many as to the power of the govern- 
ment to put down the rebellion. Organizations were formed 
throughout the Korth of men who favored an instant cessation of 
hostilities, the withdrawal of our troops from southern soil, and a 
compromise with the rebels. The organization was regarded 
as treasonable by the administration, and many of the leaders of 
the movement were arrested without regular warrant and incarcer- 
ated in various prisons, while the writ of habeas corjvis was sus- 
pended. A great hue and cry was raised because of this fact ; the 
government was denounced as tyrannical, and a forcible resistance 
was seriously advocated. A large number in McDonough county 
joined in the movement with the opposition, and party strife again 
ran high. Friends of long standing became enemies, and threats 
of personal damage were made upon both sides. Recruiting for 
the army was well nigh suspended, and the Union cause seemed 



172 HISTORY OF M'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

very dark. 'At this juncture, B. R. Hampton introduced the 
following resolution, and asked its adoption by the Board of Su- 
pervisors at their session in May, 1863 : 

Whereas, Our nation is now involved in civil war, brought about by the acts of de- 
signing and unscrupulous men who seek to destroy the best government ever instituted 
upon the earth by man ; and believing it to be the duty of all public bodies, assembled 
for the purpose of transaction of public business, to throw their influence, whether it be 
much or little, on the side of the government and for the maintenance of its power and 
authority ; therefore, 

Jiesolrcd, That although some of us may differ with the administration in relation to 
some of its war policy, yet we are anxious to see the rebels subdued and forced to sub- 
mit to the regularly constituted authorities of the United States ; and further, that we 
are ojiposed to any and all projiositions for a compromise, come from what source they 
may, short of an unconditional surrender of the rebels to the government. 

Resolved, That we utterly condemn all symijathizers with the rebellion, wherever 
found, as also that spirit of fault-finding which is so rife among us. 

On motion, the subject of the adoption of the resolutions were 
laid upon the table, and afterward being taken therefrom, after 
slight amendment by Mr. Hampton, and considerable discussion 
ensuing, Supervisor Reid ofiered the following as a substitute for 
those of Mr. Hampton : 

Renidred, That McDonough county has been, is now, and will forever remain devotedly 
attached to the federal government of the United States, under the constitution which 
creates that government and defines its powers. 

Resolved, That we are in favor of destroying the rebellion, and sanction any legitimate 
means for the accomplishment of that pur^Dose, either through an honorable compromise 
of difficulties or a convention of all the States for arranging terms of mutual inter- 
course, leaving to every State the right to regulate their domestic affairs in their own 
way, subject only to the constitution. 

Resolved, That we sincerely regret that the President has not moved with the whole 
power of the army placed in his hands by a confiding but betrayed people, upon the ene- 
my's works, but instead thereof has made war upon unarmed and patriotic citizens of 
the North, whose only "'crime" has been devotion to the constitution and best interests 
of the country. 

Resolved, That we view with just alarm the repeated usurpations of power by the 
President and his military officers, in the arbitrary arrests and imprisoment of peace- 
able citizens ; in their mock trial and imprisonment ; in the attempt to overawe peaceful 
meetings of the people called " to petition the government for redress of grievances ; " 
in the arbitrary suspension of the hnheas rorpus; in the substitution of the will or 
whim of an irresponsible officer for the written law : that if these and other kindred 
usurpations are not rebuked and counteracted by the friends of law and order, then in- 
deed is a military despotism established over us, our constitution destroyed, and a new 
government destructive of our liberties inaugurated in the place of the fundamental law 
bequeathed to us by our fathers. 

Resolved, That we call upon this government to return to true and faithful allegiance 
to the Constitution, and to employ the remaining period of their short term of power in 
honest endeavors to restore the country to the condition of peace, prosperity and growth 
which distinguished our country before the advent of a sectional organization to power. 



IIISTORV OF M'dONOUGH COUNTY. 173 

Resolved, That the profligate squandering of the public money by the officers under 
the control of President Lincoln is without a parallel for recklessness and infamy in the 
history of any civihzed nation ; in the language of John P. Hale, we solemnly •' believe 
and declare that the liberties of this country are in greater danger to-day from the 
corruption and profligacy practiced in the various dejiartments of this administration 
than they are from the open enemy in the field." 

liegiilred, That we request our Representative in Congress, the Hon. Lewis W. Koss, to 
use his best exertions to secure the repeal of the conscription bill, the indemnity bill, and 
all other oppressive and partisan enactments of the late Congress ; also, to oppose all 
measures looking toward a recognition of the independence of the Southern Confede- 
racy. 

Jie.s-iilfCfl, That in the language of Governor Seymour, " Having given the administra- 
tion a generous support in the war, we pause to see what kind of a government it is for 
which we are asked to pour out our blood and our treasures, and demand to know 
whether the war is waged to jjut down rebellion at the South, or destroy free institutions 
at the North." 

Pending the question of the adoption of the resolutions, Super- 
visor Porter offered the following as a substitute therefor, to-wit : 

Resolved, That we, as a Board of Supervisors, whatever shades of difference of opinion 
there may be among us, we are united in this, a firm and unshaken determination to 
stand upon the Federal Constitution — standing upon this broad basis, we are oi^posed to 
secession, and to suppress it, we are m favor of the use of the means guaranteed to as by 
a wise and benignant government, arms, amnesty, redress of grievances, an honorable 
compromise on all suljjects of controversy ; in short, by the use of all means that become 
a wise and Christian nation. 
Resolced, That upon this basis shall we stand till the " trump of peace shall sound." 

The resolutious of Mr. Porter were rejected, and those of Mr. 
Keid adopted. 

As we have l)efore remarked, enlistments for the army were 
slow at this time, and in order to encourage volunteers, Hon. B. 
K. Hampton, at the December meeting (1863) of the Board of Su- 
pervisors, offered tlie following resolution, wiiich was rejected by 
the Boai-d : 

Rexolced, That in addition to the bounties offered by the government of the United 
States for recruits, we offer a county bounty of fifty dollars to each man who is the head 
of a family, and twenty-five dollars to each single or unmarried man who shall hereafter 
enlist in the military service of the United States. 

The call of the government became more urgent, and as the 
quota of the county was not full, drafting was resorted to. We 
may here state that had McDonough county received credit for 
all who had gone from her midst, no draft would have ever l)eeii 
ordered here ; but many, in order to receive the large bounty 
oftered by other counties, went there for the purpose of eidist- 
ment. Hon. AVilliam H. Randolph, some time previous to this, re- 



174 HISTORY OF ]\i'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

ceivcd tlie ap[i()intiiient of Deputy U. S. Marshall, and upon him 
devolved the entbrccment of the laws. It was in this duty that 
he met his death. 

The United States government was now terribl}- in earnest — 
men must be had. A large bounty was offered, but still not 
enough to tempt many to leave the comforts of home to endure 
the toils and privations of a soldier's life. Those who were for- 
merly opposed to the giving of a bounty by the county for vol- 
unteers, now became clamorous for it to be done at once. On the 
fourteenth day of December, 1864, W. H. Green, Esq., offered 
the following preamble and resolution which was adopted by the 
Board of Supervisors : 

Wheeeas, It haf! become necessary for the government of the United States to draft 
men into the service of the United States, for the purpose of suppressing the rebellion 
in the Southern States ; and, 

Wheeeas, The government of the United States does not pay a sufficient bounty to 
obtain volunteers for said service ; now, therefore, 

Rasolred, That the Board of Supervisors of the county of McDonough request William 
H. Neece, the Representative of this county in the Legislature of this State, to have 
such law or laws passed at the next meeting of the Legislature as will empower the 
Board of Supervisors of this county to levy a tax sufficient to enable the county to offer 
bounties to persons enlisting in the military service of the United States, and to enable 
drafted men to procure substitutes when drafted into said service. 

This was accordingly done, and Mr. ISTeece, in due time, intro- 
duced a bill before the Legislature in accordance with the provis- 
ions of the above request. The bill became a law, receiving the 
signature of the Governor. Mondaj', February 6ih, 1865, the 
Board of Supervisee's were called together to take action on this 
law. A dispatch was forwarded to Mr. l^eece inquiring into the 
provisions of the bill, which answer being satisfactory, Supervi- 
or McSperitt offered the following resolutions, and moved their 
adoption, viz : 

lieHolved by the Board of Superrisors of McBonouyh ronuty, That the sum of three 
hundred dollars be, and the same is, hereby appropriated to each and every volunteer 
that may have been, or shall be, enlisted in the military service of the United States, to 
fill the quota of McDonough county under the proclamation of the President of the 
United States, made in December, 1864, for 300,000 men to till the army : prodded, that 
this appropriation shall be allowed to no person who shall lie credited to any other 
county, city or State, and to no person who shall volunteer or present a representative substi- 
tute from any township after its quota under the present call shall have been tilled. Also, 
that the sum of three hundred dollars be, and the same is, hereby apijropriated to each 
person, a resident of this county, who shall be drafted under the present call, to furnish 
a substitute or enter the service himself : provided, further, that where townships or 
parts of townships have already furnished volunteers under the present call, by clubs or 
townships, and have paid the men so furnished, then such clubs, townships, or parts of 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 175- 

townships, shall have the right to their respective shares of this appropriation, instead of 
the men so paid and in the service, to be paid to such person or persons as the club or 
township may designate ; to be divided pro ratu among all persons contributing to 
such club or township fund in proportion to the amount of their contribution : pron'dcd. 
aho, that no inhabitant of the city of Macomb shall be entitled to any part of this 
appropriation unless the tax to pay the same shall have been levied upon the property of 
said city, as well as the property of said county. 

For the payment of the above appropriations the Clerk of the County Court of Mc- 
Donough county is hereby authorized and directed to draw his order on the Treasurer of 
this county for the sum of three hundred dollars, payable in one year, and drawing six 
per cent, interest from date, in favor of each and every person volunteering, and cred- 
ited to the several townships and wards of said county, or their respective orders : and 
also to each and every drafted man (after he shall have been accepted), or his order, so 
far as the same may be necessarj' to fill the quota of said county : providi'd, that any 
order for said sum of three hundred dollars may be made in amounts of fifty dollars, if 
required by the person entitled thereto. The certificate of the Provost Marshall of this 
district, as to the names of the persons volunteering or having been drafted, and as t» 
the quotas of the different townships or wards of this county, shall be sufficient evidence 
to the Clerk to authorize him to act under the present appropriation. 

Various substitutes were offered for the foregoing resolutions. 
Among others Supervisor Provine offered one embodying the fol- 
lowing objections : First, that it would be unequal and unjust for 
those that have sons, or that have sent sons under twenty-one 
years of age. Second, that it is the duty and the privilege of 
every able-bodied man to respond to the call of his countiy in 
defense of his civil and religious liberties. Third, that the mak- 
ing of such appropriation would involve the county in such a 
debt as would result in bankruptcy and ruin. 

Previous to a vote upon the question the privilege was given to 
Col. L. II. "W^aters, Judge J. S. Bailey and James M. Campbell to 
present their views. All the various substitutes were voted down 
and the original resolutions of Mr. McSperitt were adopted. 
Mr. Hamilton afterwards (at March term, same year) endeavored 
to have passed a resolution exempting from taxation under the 
levy to raise money for the payment of the bounties certain classes^ 
as follows: First, those who have been themselves iu the service 
during the present war. Second, those who may be widows 
or orphans of soldiers who have served in the present war. 
Third, those who have hired substitutes in the present war previ- 
ous to the present call. Those from whose families minors have 
gone out as soldiers during the present war. The resolution of 
Mr. II. was voted down. 

By reference to a report made by the County Clerk to the Ad- 
jutant General of the State, we learn that t^cre was expended by 
the county as bounty money the sum of 8131.400. In addition 



176 HISTORY OF I^i'dOXOUGII COUNTY. 

to this Mound township expended ^5,860 ; Prairie City, $18,049.39; 
K'ew Salem, ^6,266.50 ; a total for the county of $161,575.85. 

On the tirst day of jSTovember, 1864, occurred the most terrible 
tragedy recorded in the annals of McDonougli county. In July 
of this year the President of the United States issued his procla- 
mation for an additional number of men for the United States 
serv-ice; and further ordered that if the cjill was not complied 
with by volunteers within lifty days from date of said cull, 
drafting should be resorted to. Each State in the Union was di- 
vided into districts and sub-districts, and to each was assigned 
their just quota. A record of all enlistments heretofore made had 
been kept and each district properly credited with all volunteers 
reporting therefrom. McDonough county was in the Xinth Dis- 
trict, Capt. B. F. Westlake, of Mt. Sterling, Brown county, Pro- 
vost Marshal. On the fifteenth day of June, 1863, William II. Ran- 
dolph, of the city of Macomb, received the appointment of Depu- 
ty Provost Marshal, and was re-appointed Sept. 28, 1864, commis- 
sion to date from Sept. 15, 1864. About this time notice was 
■given to the various sub-districts in the county that upon the sixth 
day of October, the draft for the townsliips of Eldorado, Emmet, 
Hire, Sciota, Industry, Bethel, Lamoine, Chalmers, Scotland, 
Mound, Walnut Grove and ]S"ew Salem, would take place at Mt. 
Sterling, and requested that committees should be appointed from 
each township to attend the drawing to see that it was fairl}' con- 
ducted. According to notice, the draft took place and a list of 
drafted men immediately forwarded to Captain Randolph. Upon 
that list appeared the name ot John Bond, of Hire township. Mr. 
Bond was duly notified, and failing to report according to the 
statute made and provided, was considered a deserter, and it be- 
came the duty of Captain Randolph to arrest him as such. Ac- 
cordingly on the morning of the first day of November, 1864, he 
proceeded to Blandinsville for that purpose, arriving there a lit- 
tle before daylight. About sunrise, he met Bond in the saloon 
of Chris. Sappiugton, and told him he had come for him, and 
asked him to go peaceably with him to Mt. Sterling. This Bond 
refused to do, stating that he would not go and fight for the niggers, 
and that the quota of his township was full, and it was unnecessary. 
Mr. Randolph told him he must go. Bond went out of the sa- 
loon, followed by Randolph, going over to the hotel of his broth- 
er James. Here they were met by Miles, another brother of 
John, who said to him, "Tour horse is ready ; it is time to take 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 177 

a ride." Mr. R. then placed his hand npon John's shoulder and 
told him he ^vas his prisoner. Upon this, Bond drevs' his pis- 
tol, fired at Randolph, and then ran. Mr. 11. returned the tire, 
and followed him out the door, where they were again met by 
Miles, who also tired at him. Randolph then turned, and the 
Bond brothers jumped on their horses and tied the country. Ran- 
dolph was shot in four places, two mortal wounds being intiicted. 
He was taken to the house of a Mr. Hudson, where he died in 
about eighteen hours after being shot. Drs. Emery and Durant,. 
ot Blandinsville, and Jordan, of Macomb, were called in, and all 
that could be done for his relief was attended to, but all in vain. 
Coroner Sullivan held an inquest on the remains on the third inst., 
the jury returning a verdict that he came to his death at the 
hands of John Bond and Miles Bond, aided by James Bond and Ty- 
ler Ray, and that the act was without suflicient justitication. The 
next day, the fourth, the remains were brought to Macomb, and 
interred in Oakwood cemetery, being followed to the grave by 
a large procession of sincerely mourning relatives and friends. 

At the death of Mr. Randolph the citizens of the county offered 
a reward of ^5,205 for the arrest of the four accomplices in the 
murder, viz : John Bond, Miles Bond, James Bond, and Atilla 
Ray. Of this amount ]Slrs. Randolph was to give the sum of 
$2,000. At the March term (1865) following of the Circuit 
Court, the grand jury found a bill of indictment against the four- 
above-named persons implicated by the coroner's jury. The in- 
dictment against Ray, we believe, was afterwards quashed. 

As remarked, after having shot Captain Randolph, the Bonds 
tied the country, and the attempt made to capture them at the 
time was unsuccessful. Nothing reliable as to their whereabouts 
was learned by the public for several years. Frank E. Fowler, 
of Macomb, now of Galesburg, Illinois, then in the employ of the 
government as United States detective, determined, if possible, 
to efiect their capture. In response to a card, we received the 
following account of the capture of Miles Bond, from Mr. Fowler : 

" On Saturday, June 13, 1868, I arrested Miles AV. Bond, near 
the town of Sonora, Hardin county, Kentucky, for the murder of 
Deputy Provost Marshal William II. Randolph, on the tirst day 
of November, 1864. I had been on the track of Bond about 
three years, but when about ready to capture him 'he wasn't 
there.' 



178 HISTORY OF m'doNOUGII COUNTY. 

" Some three weeks before the arrest I located Bond at the 
above mentioned place, and proceeded to arrange for making his 
arrest, which had to be done very cautiously, as he had many rel- 
atives and friends watching my every movement. So I gave out 
in your neighborhood that 1 was going to Massachusetts to visit 
relatives. The next you heard was a telegraphic dispatch from 
Louisville, Iventuck}', that the arrest had been made. 

"On arriving at Louisville, Bond being a desperate man, I 
secured the co-operation of an officer, and together we proceeded 
to the place of capture. Bond had just left his house and was 
crossing the road, at about five o'clock in the morning, when we 
came upon, and immediately seized him and clasped the irons 
upon him, without giving him any time to make the least resist- 
ance. He was immediately hurried oft', and arrived in Macoml) 
Tuesday morning, June 16, 1868, just three years four months and 
fourteen days from the day of the murder. 

Since the murder, Bond had been wandering all over the coun- 
try, his occupation being that of farmer, barber, miller, carpenter, 
etc. He took his arrest as coolly as could be expected. At first 
he had not much to say, but before arriving at Macomb he became 
quite talkative, giving all the information in regard to his life 
since he left the county. He had been living under the name of 
Samuel S. Walker. Shortly after arresting him I called him by 
the name of Miles, his given name, and he remarked to me, — 
"^That is the first time in over three years that anybody has called 
me by that name.' Very respectfully, 

"Frank E. Fowler." 

At the October term, 1868, the case of Miles W. Bond was call- 
-ed, and, on motion of his attorneys, a change of venue was taken 
to Schuyler county, and his trial had at the May term of the cir- 
cuit court of that county. L. W. James, prosecuting attorney, 
assisted by J). G. Tunniclift, C. F. Wheat, L. H. Waters and J. 
C. Bao^by, conducted the prosecution, while S. C. Judd, S. V. 
Shope, W. H. Neece, Robert Walker and Henry Metz appeared 
for the defense. A number of witnesses were examined on both 
sides, and the case ably argued by the attorney. The fact of the 
killing of Randolph by the Bonds was clearly proven, and not de- 
nied by the defense; in fact the defendant himself did not deny 
the charge against him, and in the trial of his brothers, John and 
James, some two years afterwards at Macomb, swore to the fact. 
The attorneys for the defense made the following points : First, 



HISTORY OF Rl'DGNOrOII COUNTY. 179 

There is no record of a draft liaviiig been made. Sc(.'ond, At the 
time of the arrest of Joiin Hond the draft was tilled. The object 
of the conscript law was to raise soldiers, and consequently the 
force and object of the law was attained when the quota was full ; 
after that the Provost Marshal had no right to arrest alternates 
who would have been dismissed if they had reported. Third, In 
attempting tc arrest John Bond, he transcended his duties, and 
])Ond was justified in resisting arrest. Fourth, Miles Bond, seeing 
the life of his brother in danger, by the law was justified in shoot- 
ing his antagonist. 

The case was ably managed upon both sides, and, after a patient 
hearing, it was submitted to the jury, who brought in a verdict of 
" not guilty." 

About the beginning of the year 1870 two men came to Ma- 
comb, having in charge Jobn and James Bond, claiming to have 
captured them in Missouri, and claiming the reward offered for 
their apprehension. Doubt was entertained as to their story, it 
being generally believed it was a " put up job," the Bonds desiring 
to surrender, and had arranged with these men to come and de- 
liver them up and divide with them the amount of the reward 
offered. It was therefore refused, and they only received about 
$50 to pay their expenses. 

At the March term, 1871, the case of John and James Bond 
was called, but on account of the absence of two important wit- 
nesses, the State's Attorney, L. W. James, obtained a continuance 
till the next term. At the special term, held in July following, 
the case was again called, but in consequence of the sudden and 
violent illness of Capt. B. F. Westlake, a material witness, a con- 
tinuance was again granted to the people. At the September term 
all were found ready, and on Tuesday, the twenty-sixth day of the 
month, the trial began. Judge Sibley, of the Adams District, 
presiding. Only two jurors were accepted out of the regular panel. 
Ninety-two others were summoned and examined before the 
twelve could be obtained. On the completion of the regular num- 
ber, the trial proceeded. For the people appeared L. W. James, 
Prosecuting Attorney, assisted by C. F. Wheat and D. G. Tunni- 
cliff. The defense was represented by Mebsrs. Judd & Neece. The 
trial lasted for three days. Twelve witnesses were examined for the 
people, and five for the defense. Fpon the points where boh 
were examined there was no apparent difference in their testi- 



180 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

mouy. The attorneys for the defense did not den}' the tact of 
the killing, but based their whole argument upon the question of 
the illegality of the action of Mr. Randolph in the attempted ar- 
rest. They claimed that no sucfi an ofhcer as Deputy Provost 
Marshal was recognized b}' the United States Government; that 
Mr. Randolph was acting without due authority, consequently be 
was a trespasser, and in laying his hand upon John Bond he com- 
mitted an assault, and theretore the killing was justifiable in law. 
Mr. James, the prosecuting attorney, showed from the evidence 
that Randolph was recognized by the government ; that he re- 
ceived pay in the discharge of his duties; that ]>ond thoughthim 
an officer ; that the community all acknowledged his authority; 
and, even if authority was denied, the murder was not justifiable 
and could not be. The judge read quite a lengthy charge to the 
jury, and they retired about four or itive o'clock in the afternoon. 
About four o'clock in the morning \vord was sent to the judge 
that a verdict was agreed upon, when he immediately called the 
court to order. The prisoners were sent for, and at this unrea- 
sonable hour a verdict of " not guilty" was rendered, and John 
and James Bond were allowed their liberty. 

After the passage of the resolution by the Board of Supervisors 
in which they offered a bounty of $300 to enlisted or drafted 
men, volunteering rapidly increased, and our quota was soon 
filled, the last volunteers leaving the county about February, 1865. 
Fortunately no more were required, the rebellion being nearly at 
an end. 

The news of the tall of Richmond was received with great joy 
by every loyal citizen of the county. It was looked upon as a 
harbinger of peace. But joy was soon succeeded by sorrow.' On 
the morning of the fifteenth of April, 1865, news was received of 
the assassination of President Lincoln, and grief overspread the 
face of every one. Business houses were closed and appropri- 
ately draped in mourning. Church bells tolled forth the sad in- 
telligence that, by tlie hands of a cowardly assassin, the great and 
noble A)>raham Lincoln had been stricken down. In squads of 
two or three, people wandered listlessly about, or retired to the 
privacy of their own closets, to commune with the Almighty 
Father, and pray that no further calamity might befall our coun- 
try. On the following Sabbath day every church was draped iu 
mourning, and services appropriate to the occasion were held. 



HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGII COUNTY. 181 

Time passed, and the rebellion was bronght to an end ; and 
peace was proclaimed throughout the length and breadth ot the 
land. All throughout the country the shouts went up from lojal 
hearts, and as our " brave boys in blue" returned_, the joy increased. 
The war over, the sacrifice made, and the Union saved ! That 
McDonough county men nobly did their duty in this great cause, 
the records of Donelson, Shiloh, Chickamauga, Chancellorville, 
Mission Eidge, and a hundred other battle fields, will duly testify. 
But now those that are left are gatheredat home, atid occasionally 
the}'' recount to us the scenes of those terrible times, and our 
hearts almost cease to beat as they describe the battles in which 
our brothers were engaged, and tell us how, where the strife 
raged the fiercest, there fell so many of their brave comrades ; or 
how, one by one, in the dreary prison pens of the South, or in the 
hospitals, passed away from earth those who but a short time 
previous were full of health and hope. But how sad our hearts 
are made to see in so many households the vacant chair and wit- 
ness the longing look of some loved ones there, who seem to 
expect that which can never come to pass upon this side of the 
Jordan ot death — the reunion of those who are gone before with 
those that are left. But amid all this, we have a country saved, 
and should we not be thankful to the Great Father of All that it 
was in our power to make the sacrifice by which all this was 
accomplished? 



H— 12 



182 HrsTORY OF m'donough county. 



CirAPTER XVIIL 



THE WAR — IN THE FIELD. 



If time and space allowed, gladly would we follow our brave 
soldier boys to the tented field and recount the individual acts of 
bravery ot one and all ; but this we cannot do, and can only 
speak iu general terms, giving a short description of such regi- 
ments as were composed in good part of men from this county. 
Our soldiers, we find, are as modest as brave, and not disposed to 
volunteer information for publication, so that for what we do 
give we have had to depend principally upon our public records. 
Beginning in order of enlistment, we come to the 

SIXTEENTH INFANTRY. 

The Sixteenth Infantry, Illinois Volunteers, was organized and 
mustered into the United States service at Quincy, Illinois, under 
the " Ten Regiment Act," on the twenty-fourth day of May, 1861. 
It w^as mustered in by Capt. T. G. Pitcher, U. S. A., June 12th, 
1861 ; moved to Grand river. Mo., as railroad guard, after which 
the regiment was scattered along the line ot the II. & St. Jo. road 
as guard, rluly 10, Col. Smith's force, though attacked at Monroe 
Station ])y sixteen hundred mounted rebels, held its position until 
the arrival of reinforcements, when the enemy fled. On tlie six- 
teenth, lost two men killed and two wounded at Caldwell Station. 
August 20, regiment moved under Gen. Ilurlbut to Kirksville 
in pursuit of Gen. Green, arriving at Honeyville Sept. 1. Sept. 
10, ordered to St. Joseph, Mo. On the fourteenth, together with 
the Third Iowa Infantr}', had a skirmish at Platte City; seven- 
teenth, returned to St. Joseph. Jan. 27, ordered to Bird's Point, 
Mo. March 3, ordered to New Madrid, where they were attached 
to the army of Mississippi, Second Brigade, Col. James D. Mor- 
gan, First Division, Brigadier General E. x\. Paine. 



HISTORY OF m'donou'jh county 183 

On the evening of the twelfth of March the Tenth and Six- 
teenth lilinois Volunteers were thrown forward and erected aline 
■ot earthworks, mounting four heavy guns, within a half mile of 
the enemy's works. 

March 13, the battle of New Madrid was fought, the Sixteenth 
supporting the siege guns. 

April 7, were landed on the opposite side of the Mississippi with 
the Tenth Illinois, and followed tne retreating enemy to Tipton- 
ville, Tenn., where they captured 5,000 prisoners, a large amount 
of artillery, small guns and ammunition. 

April 9, returned to Xew Madrid; 13th, embarked for Osceola, 
Ark.; 17th, embarked for Hamburg, Tenn., where they arrived on 
the 22d ; participated in the siege of Corinth ; after the evacua- 
tion pursued the retreating enemy to Booneville. June 12, re- 
turned and camped at Big Springs. July 20, moved to Tuscum- 
bia ; 29th, crossed the Tennessee at Florence. 

September 15, arrived at Is^ashville after a seventeen-days' 
march, with continual guerrilla fighting. Loss, one killed and five 
wounded. 

Garrisoned Edgefield, guarding railroad bridge, Xovember 5 ; 
garrison was attacked by rebel General Morgan, who was re- 
pulsed, leaving many dead upon the field. Loss, one killed and 
five wounded, including Captain Rowe ; was in the Atlanta cam- 
paign ; mustered out July 8, 1865, at Louisville, Ky.; arrived at 
•Camp Butler July 10, 1865, for final payment and discharge. 

There were two hundred and twenty-eight in the regiment 
from this county, divided into six companies, and during the war 
the casualties were five killed, tAvelve wounded, and fifteen died. 

Nothwithstanding the life of a soldier on active duty is one of 
toil and danger, still a little time is found for amusements, and 
some good anecdotes are related by the boys. While this regi- 
ment was stationed at Memphis, a couple of Irishmen found time 
to pay court to a pretty Irish maiden residing there. Jealousy 
existed in the liearts of both, and each did his level best to win 
the good graces of the fair one, while at the same time he would 
utterly demolish his rival. One evening both happened to call 
upon the loved one at the same time, and fell to demeaning each 
other in her presence. Becoming tired of this they began 
bragging of their ancestors. One said his father was a very 
wealthy man in the old countrv and a lineal descendant of a 



184 HISTORY OF JI'dOXOUGH COUNTY. 

noble loi'd. The other responded, " I can't say my father is very 
wealthy and a descendant of a lord, but I can say he came to this 
country when a poor boy and became a great builder and archi- 
tect, planning some of the finest buildings and works of art in 
this country ; in fact, lie was the principal architect of the !N'atural 
Bridge in Virginia ! " " Take the girl," said the other, " I have 
nothing more to say." 

In the regiment was a German going by the name of Solomon, an 
easy-going, good-natured soul. One day he came into camp from 
a foraging expedition, and related an adventure of his, as follows: 
"As I vas coming along te road, somepody he behint me hol- 
lered out, ' Get out of te road.' I taught it was some tam cavalry 
man, and I paid no 'tention to him. Butty soon he hollers out 
again, 'Get out of te road you tam son of a pitch.' I tought ten 
it vas somepody vot knowd me, ven he callt me py name, and I 
looks around, and dere vas John Bope (Gen. Pope), and I gets out 
of te road butty quicks." 

While in Missouri, General Pope, for some cause, took a dislike 
to this regiment, and charged them with being a set of thieves, 
and said they would steal everything they could lay their hands 
on. Afterward, at Tiptonville, this regiment, with the 10th Illi- 
nois, captured five thousand prisoners without the rebels firing a gun, 
which, when General Bope heard of, he enquired of General Payne 
how it was done. The question was overheard by a member of 
the regiment, who quickly responded, " General, I can tell you 
how it was done. The 16th stole all their ammunition and they 
couldn't fire." 

On a long march the men were apt to break ranks, which being- 
observed, tlie order was given to " close up," which order was 
carried all along the line. On one occasion a large number of 
''contrabands" were following the regiment when this order was 
given. An old colored lady, thinking the order was meant for 
her, raised her clothes a little above her ankles, and turning to the 
officer near her who gave the command, innocently asked, "Is 
that high enough, massa?" 

The following letter, which we give precisely as received, with- 
out the change of a single word, was received by Captain Rowo 
while the regiment was station&d- af'St. J6seph'.'"^'It'-V^'tid^dless"to 
say the Captain, beings a •"'gintlema'il'that-he-W-a'§,'f rilftde the'-bdy'^ 
p^y'th'cir just' debts, and immediately fbtwai*dedt'hfe^"fehx^bl:lai'S-''^ 
n "io h' ■ ' i;o'j bio odi n'l mun ■fiiliao-rf 



HISTORY OF m'doxough county. 185 

to the lady. For this kind deed we have no douht the h^dy has 
ahvays hehl liini in kind rorneniljrance : 

• Tha Sixty o Quancy Nov 1, 1861. 

Captain Rowe. — Aiit yer company after bcin ashamed o' yerselves to let a pure widdy 
go wid no pay 4 munths when u hev yer one pay long sense ye rite wel no I did yer 
washin when yer were in this sitty an ye hev never ben the men to pay an not let the 
childers cryin fer bred drab yer eis ma ye never be after bein hungry childers yerselves. 
wid a mothers hart in ye at all. now that ye ma niver forget it my name is Catharine 
O'SuUivan an did the washin fur companie C whin Captain Cahill wus the after bein the 
boss Captain and jeems Barnett was the Clark an he sed he wud se it pade wil ye no 
dear Captin liowe tha do sa ye ar after bein dacent gintleman yearself an wuld niver 
like ter se yer one childers cri fur bred wunt ye be as a gude man as ye are hilp me get 
the 6 dolirs that companie C oes me fur washin when I walked a mile an a half to git it 
an fatch it home twice almost every weak when tha wur at Kemp wut Michael Reedy 
noes I did the wurk so dus michael lynch no it, I an wil tel ye the same if yer onor wil 
but ask him an he wus married when he was at Quancy an a dacent man he seamed But 
Jim Barnet tuk the names fur me an he can tel best that tha oe me sax dolirs fur wash- 
in an will testify on the cross if he stil in companie c yet an wil tel the trooth about it. 

Catherine O'SuUivan To Captin Howe Michael lynch or Eeedy or Jeems Barnet who 
all no the Captin noe that companie c oes me sax dollars. 

Wel ye plase try an get the muny fur the lady as shea is very pure an neads it muck 
an got me to rite for her sent it to Mr. Newton Fagg for Catherine O'Sulliven sax dolirs. 

On the departure of the companies for the 16th regiment the 
enlistment of other men did not cease. The war fever was up, 
und hundreds were ready to do and die for their country. In July, 
1801, L. II. Waters, G. L. Farwell, and W. F, Bayne raised com- 
l)anies and proceeded to Springfield. The companies raised by 
Waters and Farwell were consolidated, with Farwell as Captain, 
Waters becoming Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment. J. D. 
Walker was also busilj' engaged in making up a company, which 
is next in order. 

COMPANY II — SECOND CAVALRY. 

This company was organized at Macomb, Illinois, by J. D. 
AValker, and accepted by the Governor Juh' 24, 18t)l. ' The com- 
pany went into quarters at Camp Butler, Springfield, August 5, 
and was uiustered into the United States service August 12, 1861, 
remained in the State until Xovember 12, 1861, when they were 
ordered to Paducah, Kentucky, where they were partly armed 
and equipped. From here they made several important reconnois- 
sances into the interior of Kentucky. They were ordered to Colum- 
bus, Kentucky, March 11,, 1862, being the first Union soldiers to 
enter that rebel stronghold ; Ijcre tliey remained until ^larcli 23, 
1862, when they were ordered to Hickman, Kentucky. March 31 



186 HISTORY OF m'do.NOUGH COUNTY. 

they were part of the force that attacked and captured Uniou 
City, then a rebel camp of instruction. Keturned to Hickman 
and remained until July 9, 1862, when they were ordered to Union 
City, thence to Crocket Station,'and from there to Trenton, Ten- 
nessee, arriving June 18th. Their duty while here was arduous, 
having considerable scouting to do, the country being alive with 
guerriUas. July 27th they scouted toward Brownsville, and for 
seventeen days were continually skirmishing with the guerrillas. 
Returned to their camp at Trenton, and was ordered to Jackson,. 
Tennessee, August 25, and the 29tli to Bolivar, Tennessee, where 
they arrived on the 30th, and were immediately ordered into ac- 
tion, in which the noblest othcer of the regiment, Lieutenant- 
Colonel Hogg, was killed. The casualties of the regiment were 
heavy, but in Company H were light. While in camp at Bolivar 
they scouted in Haywood county, destroying Captain Haywood's 
guerrilla band by capturing his camp, equipage, and forty men. 
The regiment was ordered to Lagrange, Tenn., November 5, 1862, 
from which they made several reconnoissances, one in the direction 
of Larmar, where they brought on an engagement with the reb- 
els, driving them away and taking possession of the field with 
eighty prisoners. Company H meeting with slight losses. On the 
twenty-eighth of November they took the advance of the army, 
moving through Holly Springs to Abbeyville, returned t© Holly 
Springs Dec. 2, and went into camp. The rebel General Van 
Dorn made a raid upon Holly Springs Dec. 20, 1862. After two 
hours hard fighting the rebels, with overwhelming numbers, 
drove this regiment from their place, it losing one hundred and 
sixty killed, wounded and missing. Jan. 1, 1863, ordered to 
Memphis, where they had an opportunity to recuperate some. 
On the twenty-second of February, moved to Young's Point, ar- 
riving the twenty-third, and March 14 ordered to Milliken's 
Bend, where they remained until the movement on Alcksburg 
commenced, this regiment taking the advance. March 31, moved 
on Richmond, La., where they engaged the rebels across the 
bayou, which, after one hour's fighting, they captured. Left 
Richmond April 5, moving down Round Away Bayou, skirmish- 
ing with rebel Colonel Hanson's command. April 14, camped 
at Smith's plantation; moved from here, crossing A'idel and Mill 
bayous in flatboats, and encamped at St. Joseph, La., the twenty- 
eighth. Crossed the Mississippi at Bruinsburg, May 1, and ar- 
rived at Big Sandy the fifth. The duties of this regiment were 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGIT COUNTY. 187 

heavy, having to picket the front of Osterhaus, and Ilovey's Divi- 
sions, and watching the flanks at tlie battle of Champion Hills. 
^ray 16, 1863, they arrived at Big Black river, and the next day 
made the first reconnoissance in the rear of A'icksburg. They 
were engaged in scouting in the Yazoo Valley until June 9, 1863, 
when they were ordered to Big Black Bridge, on the Vicksburg 
and Jackson road, remaining until July 5, when they advanced 
on Jackson, Tl'ey skirmished heavily with the rebels four days, 
and arrived at Jackson on the ninth, and on the sixteenth were 
ordered to scout to Brookhaven, seventy-five miles below Jackson. 
Returned July 20, and were ordered to Yicksburg, where they ar- 
rived July 28, 1863. August 5 were ordered down the Mississippi 
river to iSTatchez, remaining until the fifteenth, when they were 
ordered to Carrollton, La., and tSept. 5 to Morganza, La., where 
they skirmished with the rebels fifteen days, and on the twenty- 
ninth the rebels brought on a general engagement, compelling 
them to retreat. Oct. 9, 1863, they reported to General Lee at 
New Orleans, and on the fifteenth left for Brashear City, arriving 
on the seventeenth, and at Franklin the eighteenth, Xew Ibera 
the nineteenth, at Vermilionville Oct. 20, 1863. On the twenty- 
tirst they advanced on the Bayou Teche road, and brought on an 
engagement with the enemy, meeting slight losses. Xov. 1, re- 
turned to Vermilionville, and on the eleventh engae:ed the rebels 
at Carrion Crow Bayou Crossing, one killed and three wounded. 
Jan. 5, 1864, ordered to !N^ew Orleans to recuperate, they arriving 
the fifteenth. The company was mustered out Xov. 22, 1865. 
There were in this company, from McDonough county, ninety- 
one men, four of whom were killed, four died, and four wounded. 

TWENTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY. 

The 28th Infantry, Illinois Volunteers, was organized at Camp 
Butler, Illinois, in August, 1861, by Lieutenant-Colonel Louis II. 
NVaters and Major Charles J. Sellon. 

August 28, ordered to Thebes, Illinois; September 9, to Bird's 
Point, Missouri ; October 2, to Fortllolt, Kentucky, and remained 
until January 31, 1862, in Colonel John Cook's brigade. In the 
meantime engaged in several marches south and east from the 
fort. 

January 81, moved to Paducah, Kentucky, and were assigned 
to Colonel M. Smith's brigade, l>rigadier-General Lew AValiace's 
division; February 5, moved up Tennessee river; on the sixth 



188 lil.SToKV OK .m"jjONOIJ(,II CUU.NTY. 

took part in the capture of Forts Henry and Herman ; February 
13, a detachment of forty-eight men and twelve ofhcers, under 
Colonel Johnson, met the enemy (five hundred strong), at Little 
Bethel Church, five miles from Fort Henry, and immediately 
attacked and routed them. 

March G, having been assigned to General Hurlbut's (fourth) 
division, moved to Pittsburg Landing, arriving the seventeenth. 

Earl}' on the morning of the sixth of April the regiment was 
called into line and marched half a mile to the front, where it 
met the enemy driving General Trentiss. It was assigned to a 
position on the left of the line, in the Peach Orchard. The 
enemy immediately attacked it, but were repulsed ; and it held 
its position from 8 o'clock A. M. until 3 P. M., only then retiring 
under orders from Brigadier-General S. A. Hurlbut, commanding 
the Old Fighting Fourth Division. On the morning ot the sev- 
enth it held a position on the right of the line, and was hatly 
engaged until the battle closed and the victory won. During 
those two long, trying, bloody days the regiment behaved nobly, 
and was never broken or driven back by the enemy, though often 
most heavily pressed. The regiment here sustained a loss of two 
hundred and thirty-nine killed and wounded. 

It was engaged in the siege of Corinth during the month of 
May, 1862. 

Marched to Memphis, via Grand Junction, Lagrange, Holly 
Springs, Moscow, Lafayette, CoUiersville and Germantown, 
reaching Memphis July 21, 1864. Marched September 6, reaching 
Bolivar the fourteenth; marched October 4th to Big Muddy river; 
October 5, engaged in the battle of Metamora, on Hatchie river, 
losing ninety-seven killed, wounded and missing. Eeturned to 
Bolivar October 7, and left for Lagrange I^^ovember 3. Marched 
from Lagrange, Xovember 'J9, to Holly Springs; thence to Lump- 
kin's Mill, AVaterford, Abbeville and Oxford to Tocona creek; 
December 21, to Tocona station; thence to Tallahatchie river, 
Waterford, Lumpkin's Mills, and December 30 was assigned to 
duty of guarding the railroad from Holly Springs to Waterford, 
Mississippi. 

January 8, 1863, marched via Holly Springs to Moscow^ and 
Lafayette ; returned and camped at CoUiersville, where it was 
assigned to guard railroad. Regiment at this time iDeing in the 
Third Brigade, Fourth Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, was en- 
gaged in the siege of Yicksburg, from June 11 to July 4, 1863. 



msTOKY OF m'donou(;ii county. 189 

On the 12tli of July, 1803, near Jackson, Miss., the 28t]i, 41st 
and 53d Illinois, and 3d Iowa Infantry, not exceeding eight hnn- 
dred men, were ordered to charge across an open level corn field, 
some six hnndred yards, and carry a strong line of the enemy's 
works, mounting twelve guns and manned by at least two thou- 
sand men. The brigade swept gallantly forward under a destruc- 
tive fire of grape, canister and minie bullets. The enem}" ap- 
pearing upon both iianks as it reached the ditch, itwas compelled 
to fall hack, ivith a loss of more than, half of the rank and file killed 
or iroanded. Tlie eight companies of this regiment in line, num- 
bering one hundred and twenty-eight men, lost seventy-three 
killed and wounded, and sixteen taken prisoners. 

September 1, 1863, the 28th formed part of an expedition from 
IS'atcbez to Harrisonburg, compelling the enemy to evacuate Fort 
Beauregard. The regiment remained at Xatchez doing provost 
guard duty in the city. 

The regiment re-enlisted as veterans, and on July 4, 1864, was 
mustered for three years' veteran service, and May 18, proceeded 
to Illinois for veteran furlough. May 29, every man who had 
been furloughed reported at Camp Butler, 111., and the regiment 
moved for Natchez. 

October 10, the regiment was consolidated into four companies, 
and on the" 12th embarked for Morganzia, La. ISTovember 3, em- 
barked for mouth of White river; arrived the 7th; left the 20th ; 
arrived at Mempjhis the 22d. Here the regiment received two 
hundred recruits, which were organized into two companies; was 
assigned to the 1st Brigade District of West Tennessee — Major 
General C. C. Washburne, commanding ; December 21, formed 
part of an ex[)edition to Moscow; arrived the 23d, and returned 
to Memphis the 31st. 

On January 3, I860, embarkc<l for Knervillo, La., arriving the 
6th, and on the 12th, embarked for Mobile Point, La., and en- 
countering a heavy gale on the vo3'age were compelled to throw 
overboard 130 muies and horses to save the vessel; arrived back 
at tlie mouth of the Mississippi, Feb. 14, and proceeded to New 
Orleans. On the 14, moved to Lake Ponchartrain, on the 17, em- 
barked for Ft. Morgan, Mobile Bay, camped at Navy Cove, and 
arrived at Fish river March 25, and Spanish Fort the 27th. 

In the advance upon Spanish Fort the I'cgimcnt occu[»icd the 
extreme right of the division and corps, and held this position dnr- 



190 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

ing the entire siege of 14 day?, losing 14 killed and wounded, in- 
cluding two captains. 

April 10, marched to Ft. Blackly then returned and on the 12th, 
entered the city of Mobile and on the 13th, marched to Whistler 
Station and skirmishing with the enemy. May 11, moved within 
three miles of Mobile, Ala. June 3, 1865, reviewed by Chief Jus- 
tice Chase. July 2, embarked for Brazos Santiago, Texas; ar- 
I'ived July 6 ; 7th, marched to Clarksville; Aug, 2, marched for 
Brownsville, arrived tlie 3d. The regiment was mustered out 
March 15, 1866. Xumber enlisting at organization 761, recruits 
959. Total 1,620, 284 wounded, 24l\illed and died. Of the 28th, 
89 men w^^re from this county, in two companies, D, and K, of 
whom 9 were killed, 9 died, and 15 wounded. Their record was a 
glorious one. For their bravery in the battle of Shiloh, the 
county gave them a handsome flag, which was well deserved. 

COMPANY L — SEVENTH CAVALRY. 

This company was organized in Bushnell by Captain George M. 
Scott in Aug., 1861, and mustered into the United States service 
Sept. 3, 1861. The regiment remained at Camp Butler until Dec. 
1861, when it was moved to Cairo, thence to Bird's Point, Mo. It 
remained here until March 5, 1862. Engaged in the capture of 
'Sew Madrid and Island No. 10; also in capture of Corinth and 
pursuit ot the rebels. Guarded the Memphis and Charleston Rail- 
road, in Alabama, until Sept. 9, 1862. After this the company 
participated in the following engagements: luka. Miss., Sep- 
tember, 1862 ; Burnsville, Miss., Sept. 19, 1862; Corinth, Oct. 3 
and 4; Hudson Lane, November, 1862; Oxford, Dec. 1, 1862; 
Yancona Creek, Dec. 3; Water Valley, Dec. 4; Cotfeeville, Dec. 
5; Covington, Tenn., March 8, 1863; Union Church, Miss., April, 
1863 ; Plain Store, La., May 25 ; Clinton, La., July 3 ; Quin's Mills, 
Miss., Aug. 1 ; Salem, Miss., Sept. 9 ; Collierville, Tenn., Sept. 11 ; 
Byhalia, jSIiss., Sept. 12 ; Wyattsford, Miss., Sept. 13 ; Collierville, 
Tenn., Oct. 10,1863; Moscow, Oct. 12, 1863; Espanola, Tenn., 
Dec. 24; Summerville, Tenn., Dec. 26; West Point,- Miss., Feb. 
20,1864; Okalon, Miss., Feb. 23; Pontiac, Miss., Feb. 24; Gun- 
town, ]Miss., June 10 ; Memphis, Tenn., July 21 ; Shoal Creek, 
Tenn., November; Lawrenceburg, Tenn., Nov. 21 ; Campbellville, 
Tenn., Nov. 24 ; Franklin, Tenn., Nov. 10; Nashville, Dec. 15 and 
16; Ilarpe Creek, Tenn., Dec. 17; Rutherford Creek, Tenn., Dec. 
19 ; Anthony Hill, Tenn., Dec. 25. Besides a number of long, 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 191 

wearisome nuircheK, tbe company pai'ticipated in several import- 
iint raids, among which was Grierson's famous raid, made in 
April, 1863, from LaGrange, Tenti,, to Baton Rouge, La., traveling' 
in sixteen days, a distance ot eight hundred miles. After which 
the company participated in the siege and capture ot Port Hudson,, 
La., in June and July of 1863. A portion of the company re-en- 
listed as veterans, Feb. 9, 1864, under Captain Daniel Wilt, Lieu- 
tenants James Price and Lewis Pickel. 

There were one hundred and eighty-five officers and privates 
enlisted in this company — many being recruits — lifty-nine of this 
number were from this county. The company, although very ac- 
tive all during the war, did not suffer as many did, there being but 
five killed: sixteen died. The company was mustered out at 
Xashville, Tenn., Nov. 4, 1865. 

J. L. Epperson, a member of this regiment, was not addicted to- 
the use of profane language, and condemned it in others, but on 
one occasion the boys claimed that they had the joke on him. 
While in camp at a certain place he went down to a stream to get 
a drink of fresh water, and as he raised up from quenching hia 
thirst, he was fired upon b}^ a couple of bushwhackers, one of 
whom had a shot-gun and the other a musket. Although they 
were only about forty steps away, they failed to touch him, when- 
he quickly drew his revolver, firing three shots at them as they 
retreated, and in all earnestness exclaiming : "You playgonit cow- 
ards, you I" His comrades laughed at him for hia conduct, telling- 
him that he had disgraced the noble 7th, in fact, the entire army„ 
by his terrible swearing; that the rebels would think them an 
awful wicked set of fellows, to hear such oaths coming from a 
Union soldier. It is probable he never repeated them. 

FIFTY-FIFTH INFANTRY. 

The Fifty-fifth Infantry Illinois volunteers was organized at 
Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois, and mustered in October 31, 
1861. November 9, left by rail for Alton, and on the evening of 
the 18th left for St. Louis by steamer. ]\emaine<l at Camp Benton 
until January 12, 1862, when it was ordered to Paducah, Ky., 
where it arrived on the 22d, and March 8th embarked on steamer 
for the Tennessee river. 

March 15, marched out with the expedition from a point some 
fourteen miles above Pittsburg Landing, for the surprise and over- 



192 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

throw of Corinth, but high water defeated the movement. It re- 
turned to Pittsburg Landing and went into camp cast of Shiloh 
•Church. 

The opening of the battle Sunday morning found the regiment 
in position with an effective force of eight hundred and seventy- 
three men. Colonel Stuart was wounded and nine of the line 
•officers, three of whom died, one hundred and two enlisted men 
were killed and mortally wounded, an<l one hundred and sixt^'- 
■one wounded and taken prisoner. The regiment was with the 
army in the advance on Corinth, and at Kussell's house, May 17; 
lost in skirmish eight men, two killed and six wounded. 

Entered Corinth May 30, and from there, with General Sher- 
man, westward along the Memphis and Charleston railroad. 
Marching to Lagrange, Lafayette, Moscow, to Holly Springs, 
Miss.; with Sherman marched into Memphis July 31, and re- 
mained in camp until JSTovember 25, when, with Sherman's divi- 
•sion, it marched for the Tallahatchie river. AVas marched back 
to Memphis to descend the Mississippi river to A'icksburg with 
the new troops that arrived at Memphis. Embarked with the ex- 
pedition, and six companies were engaged in the battle of Chick- 
asaw Bayou, December 29, losing one Captain killed and one en- 
listed man killed and seven wounded. 

The regiment was present and under fire at the battle of Ar- 
kansas Post, January 10 and 11, 1 863 ; from here it. moved to 
Young'vS Point, La., where it was initiated into the ditching pro- 
cess. 

Participated in the siege of Vicksburg, losing in all, from May 
16 to July 4, eight killed and thirty-nine wounded. Encamped on 
Eiack river, near Vicksburg, until Sept. 27, when it embarked for 
Memphis, and moved out with the army past Corinth to luka. 
Eroni luka it was with the reconnoissance to Tuscumbia. Oct. 
30, marched from East Point to Chattanooga; arrived ISTov. 21, and 
during the night of the twenty-third, with the rest of the brigade, 
manned a fleet of pontoon boats in Xorth Chickamauga creek, 
four miles above Chattanooga, and in the midst of rain and in- 
tense darkness, with muffled oars, descended and crossed the 
Tennessee river, and captured the enemy's picket line. Nov. 25, 
marched with Sherman to the relief of Ivnoxville; returned and 
<!amped successivel}^ at Bridgeport, Bellefonte, and Larkinsville 
during the winter, and at Larkins' Landing during the spring, at 



HISTORY OF m'doxougii county. 195 

which place the regiment veteranized, and returned to Illinois on 
a furlough of thirty days. June 27, 1864, participated in tlie 
assault upon Ivenesaw Mountain, Ga., losing fifteen killed and 
thirty-three wounded. On July 22 the regiment was again en- 
gaged, with an effective force of two hundred and thirty-nine 
Qien, and came out of the engagement with one hundred and 
eighty men. 

In the siege of Atlanta the regiment's loss was seven killed and 
eighteen wounded. In the battle of Jonesboro, Ga,, Aug. 31, 
1861, lost twenty-three men. 

In a short campaign of about two months, the regiment lost 
about one-half its number. 

Joined in pursuit of Ilood through northern Alabama, and re- 
turned to Atlanta, when one hundred and sixty-two non-veterans 
ivere discharged. It soon left for Savannah with the loth Army 
Dorps. 

Kear Beutonsville, 'N. C. lost eight men. 

Marched with the army via Eichmond to "Washington, where it 
participated in the grand review, and then moved to Louisville, 
vhere it remained in camp a few weeks, and then by steamer 
;vent to Little Kock, Ark., where, Aug. 14, 1865, it was mustered 
)ut of service, and on the 19th left for Chicago, and arrived on 
;he 22d, and received final payment and discharge. 

During its term of service the regiment marched 3,374 miles. 

This county was represented by one hundred and twenty-five 
lien, in four different companies of the 55th, of whom three were 
villed, fourteen died and seventeen wounded. 

COMPANY C — FIFTY-NINTH INFANTRY. 

This was among the first companies organiz'ed in McDonougli^ 
md nearly all of its officers and men were residents of the western 
•art of the county. It was assigned to duty at Cape Girardeau, 
\Iissouri, where it remained until the organization of the 9th 
Vlissouri Infantry Volunteers, at St. Louis, September 18, 1861, 
;o which Company C was assigned. This regiment was composed 
)f Illinois companies. February 12, 1862, by order of the War 
Department, it was changed to the 59th Illinois Infantry A^ol- 
inteers. Three days after organization the 9th Missouri was 
)yrfe'iWy'J(^fifer^.(!)n (^rty;'iind on the tlili-tleth' moved to Boone- 
7ille, 'kh^ tvas- bi^Jgadecl'Witli f he' 3Vth Illinois' In'fa'»Vti^yj 5th' Mr^ 



104 HISTORY OF m'donough county. 

Iiilantry, 1st Xunsiis Infantn' and Davidson's Illinois Battery, 
Colonel d. C. Kelton commanding brigade, and Brigadier-General 
John Pope commanding division. The campaign of 1861 and the 
•early part of 1862 was spent in the ^tate of Missouri. On the 
20th day of May, 1862, the regiment embarked for Hamburg 
Landing, Tennessee. From there moved toward Farmington, on 
the twenty-seventh. After the evacuation of Corinth, pursued 
the enemy. In June marched into Mississippi, and in August to 
Florence, Alabama. Thence to Franklin, Tennessee ; from there 
to Murfrecsboro, arriving September 1, 1863. September 3, com- 
menced the northward marcdi with General BuelTs army, arriving 
at Louisville on the twenty-sixth. October 7, met the enemy at 
Chaplin Hill, near Perryville. On the eighth heavily engaged, 
losing one hundred and thirteen killed and wounded out of three 
hundred and sixty-one men going into action. Pursued the enemy 
on the tenth. Arrived in Xashville November 7, and camped at 
Edgefield, near which they remained during the year. 

I)ec. 25, skirmished toward Nolensville. On the twenty-sixth 
the army of the Cumberland was put in motion for the Stone 
River campaign, and the 59th employed as skirmishers, and drove 
the enemy nine miles. Took active part in the attack on Nolens- 
ville. On the twenty-ninth marched toward Murfreesboro ; here 
the enemy were found in force and entrenched. An unsuccessful 
attempt was made to drive him from his position, and the regi- 
ment lay during the night of the thirtieth within a few hundred 
yards of the enemy's works. Early on the morning of the thirty- 
first, the enemy turned the right flank of the Twentieth Corps. 
The 59th changed front to rear, and supporting the 5th Wisconsin 
Battery, for a long time held the enemy in check, and when with- 
drawn, brought with it the guns of the battery, from which the 
horses had all been killed. It was then put in position on Mur- 
freesboro pike, which it held until Jan. 2. The regiment forded 
the river, swollen by recent rains, and assisted in driving back the 
■enemy, and held their position in the extreme front until the 
morning of Jan. 4, when it re-crossed Stone I'iver, and the enemy 
evacuated Murfreesboro. June 23, 1863, the Tnllahoma campaign 
was commenced. August 30, left Stevenson, crossed the Tennes- 
see river and ascended the Sand Mountain. Marched to Lookout 
Valley. Arrived at Chattanooga Sept. 22. Distance marched 
from Stevenson, one hundred and twenty-two miles. Was active 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 105 

ill the Lookout Mountain campaign. Dec. 1, buried the dead 
from the battle field of Chickaraauga, of Sept. 19 and 20. 

January 12, 1864, the regiment mustered as a veteran organiza- 
tion, and arrived at Springfield, III., on furlough, February 10, 
and March 19, was re-organized. Took part in the Atlanta 
campaign July 12, the regiment crossed the Chattahoochie, and 
presented itself before the fortifications around Atlanta, and from 
that time until the 25th of August, it assailed the works of the en- 
emy and was ujider fire day and night. November 1, marched to 
Pulaski. On the 29th, the brigade attacked the enemy in the fiank, 
as it was marching towax^d Spring Ilill. The fight continued all 
day, and at night the 59th marched 20 miles, and reached Spring 
Ilill on the morning of the 30th. Kesting but one hour, marched 
to Franklin, and during the afternoon the battle of Franklin was 
fought. Dec. 1, arrived in Nashville, and on the 15th, the battle 
of Nashville commenced. The 59th was in the first line of the 
assaulting column and planted the first colors on the captured 
works. In the afternoon it assaulted and carried the enemy's 
works near Hillsboro pike. Dec. 16, the memorable assault on 
Overton's Hills were made; here the regiment lost in killed and 
wounded one-third of its number. July 9, arrived at New Or- 
leans, marched to San Antonia, Texas, and was stationed at New 
Brauufels, Texas, until Dec. 8, 1865, when it was mustered out. 
In company C, there were 79 men from this county, 7 of whom 
were killed, 7 died and 7 wounded. 

SIXTY-FOURTH IXFAXTKY. 

The "First Battalion Yates Sharpshooters'' was organized at 
Camp Butler, Illinois, in the month of December, 1861, by Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel D. li. Williams. It consisted of four companies, 
to which were added two others the last of the month. January 
K), 1862, the battalion was ordered to Quincy, whereit was armed, 
after which it was ordered South. Near New Madrid they had 
their first engagement with the enemy on the night of March 12. 
Was engaged at Fort Pillow, Corinth, Kenesaw, Atlanta, and a 
great many other battle-fields. No more effective duty was done 
by any regiment during the war, it being always in the front. 
Their loss, as far as known, in killed and Avounded, was two hun- 
dred and eighty-nine men; of those dying in service we have not 
the number. The regiment was continually on the go, travelling 
Avith Sherman to the sea, thence around through North Carolina, 



IOC) HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

and then on to Washington, ^vhe^e they were in the grand review, 
May 24, IS'oo. They were discharged at Chicago, July, 18, 1865. 

There were three companies ' represented from McDonough 
county in this regiment — A, D and F, and a total ot eightA'-iive 
men. 

Alany personal incidents could be given of individual bravery 
of members of this regiment, but will content ourselves with the 
following, as sliowing the pluck of one of McDonough county's 
boys : 

John Jacobs, a member of company I), was captured near At- 
lanta, and, with other prisoners, was hurried South uncier a strong 
guard, their captors following the line of railroad. The prisoners 
were made to occupy the railroad track as far as possible, while 
the guard ranged upon either side. 

A short time before the capture the government furnished our 
soldier boys with shirts of unbleached cotton, which, in the twi- 
light, looked not a great deal unlike the butternut of the rebels. 
This fact was quickly discovered by young Jacobs, who deter- 
mined, if possible, to take advantage of it. 

On either side the guard was a number of rebel soldiers who 
had been slightly wounded, and who were being sent to the rear. 
As twilight began to settle around them, Jacobs began to limp 
slightly and fall slowly behind, and soon was in the ver}' midst of 
the guard, who, from his clothing, judged him to be one of their 
number going to the rear. Occasionally he would limp directly 
in the way of one of them, who, cursing him, would tell him to fall 
behind. This was jast what he wanted, and what he continued 
to do until he was the very last of the party proceeding south- 
ward. As soon as he thought his absence would be unnoticed, 
he turned and fled in the direction from which he came. JSTot 
knowing the direct way back, he was forced to continue along the 
line of the railroad. He succeeded in passing the infantry out- 
posts without alarming them, but came near being recaptured 
when he reached the cavalry pickets. In passing through the 
woods the underbrush beneath his feet would break, and notice 
was'thus given of his presence. Although unseen, the command 
rang out to halt, and several shots were fired in his direction, one 
ball grazing one of his ears. No further sound being heard, the 
pickets thought the noise was made by a hog or other animal 
passing through the timber, and made no further efforts to dis- 



IlLSTUKY OF m'uONOUGH COUNTY. 197 

cover its source, which was indeed avcII tor him. They then rode 
ott and he proceeded on his way. 

When daylight came he dared not proceed further for fear of 
capture, but lay down in the tall weeds by the side of the railroad 
track, and all day long the rebels marched over the road and on 
either side of him, many of them passing so near he could easily 
have reached out and grappled with them. This he was many 
times tempted to do, that he might wrest from them a gun with 
which he might defend himself if necessary, and also to get hold 
of their canteens, for he was almost sufibcating with thirst. It 
was well for him that he restrained himself, for if he had at- 
tempted to thus grapple with one he would surely have been dis- 
covered, and his recapture made certain. 

"When night came on he made his way to a house and boldly 
asked for something to eat, telling the people he was a confede- 
rate spy. The family were very glad to render him such service 
as they could, and gave him a supper which he certainly appreci- 
ated, not having had anything to eat for about thirty-six hours. 
While the meal was preparing, and wh^le eating, he plied the family 
with questions as to the location of the Yankee army, the best 
road to reach it, etc., obtaining all the information they were able 
to give. lie then asked for the loan of a mule and a gun, stating 
that when near the enemy's lines he would turn the mule loose, 
and let him return home at once, and the gun he would return the 
first favorable opportunity. Yes, he could have the best mule on 
the plantation, and an excellent gun, which he need be in no hurry 
to return if they could be of service to the glorious cause. Thank- 
ing his kind host for the favors shown, he rode forth toward the 
lines of the Union army. 

After riding all night, he came to a house, and hitching his 
mule in the front yard, he went in and asked for breakfast, first 
depositing his gun by the door, that he might not unnecessarily 
alarm the family, and where he could easily reach it when neces- 
sary. To this family he told the same story of being a confede- 
rate spy on his way to the enemy's camp, and from the lady of the 
house he learned the picket line of the Union army was but a 
short distance from her dwellins:. 

While partaking of the nice warm breakfast which was pre- 
pared for him, he heard the tramp of horses upon the road, and 
rushed to the front window and looked out, but could not tell to 
H— 13 



198 HISTORY OF m'donough county. 

which party they belonged, but judging they were rebels intent 
upon Ids recapture, started out the back way and made for the 
woods. He was quickly overtaken and brought back to the 
house. His kind landlady then witnessed against him that he 
had confessed to her he was a confederate spy, when they were 
about to hang him at once, without the form of trial. He told 
them not to be so fast, that he was a Union soldier who had been 
captured and made his escape from the rebels. His story they 
refused to believe, cursing him as a spy, and arranging to at once 
put an end to his existence. Finally better counsels prevailed, 
and he was at once taken (not very gently) into the Union camp 
and before the general commanding, "who questioned him as to 
who he was, and where he was from. He replied, giving his 
name, company and regiment. The general then questioned him 
upon other matters, receiving direct replies, when he ordered him 
under double guard, that inquiries might be made as to the truth 
ot his story, stating that he was either the man he claimed to be 
or else a spy. 

Inquiry being made, it was learned that a captain of that regi- 
ment Avas then in hospital. He was asked if there was such a 
person as John Jacobs in Co. D of his regiment. He replied 
there was, and stated he would be able to identify him on sight. 
Jacobs was then brought before him, and the recognition was 
mutual, and he w^as at once ordered discharged. He then asked 
the party bringing him into camp for his mule and gun, which 
they refused to surrender, when he at once complained to the 
general, who ordered them delivered to him. These he sold for 
1140, which was so much clear gain. The whole affair show^ed 
that Jacobs was without fear, and a man of pluck and inventive 
genius. 

As illustrating the strict discipline of the regiment, the follow- 
ing incident is given: An order was issued by General 
Kosecranz, commander of the division, that no one should be 
|)erniitted to pass the guards without the countersign, save a gene- 
ral in full uniform. A gentleman, in a linen duster and broad 
brimmed hat, drove along a road on which a guard was stationed, 
when he was commanded to halt. Reining up suddenly, he 
inquired why he was thus stopped. "Give the countersign," 
answered the guard. "Get out of the way, d — n you ! I'm Gene- 
ral Gordon Granger." "I have no means of knowing whether 
you are General Gordon Granger or not, and you cannot pass here 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 199 

iinless in full dress, or you give the countersign."' Using a string 
of adjectives that would not appear well in print, he again asked 
permission to pass; when the guard tohl him he was not in a 
humor to be cursed, and that he must either give the countersign 
or turn, or he would at once arrest him and send him to the 
guard house. Upon this the party wheeled around, and soon 
appeared dressed in full uniform; when the guard gave the salute, 
and he was permitted to pass. The circumstance was reported to 
General Rosecranz, who reproved General Granger and told the 
guard he did just right. 

Few rebel battle flags were captured during the war, and it was 
always considered a grand honor for any to take one. In the last 
grand charge upon the enemy's works at Atlanta, Captain George 
W. Reid, who at the time was acting Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
regiment, succeeded in securing one trom a Texas regiment, and 
sent it home, where it remained in his house in Chalmers township 
about one year, when it was taken to Springfield by request of 
the Adjutant-General; and it can now be seen in the "trophy 
room"' of the State capitol, duly labeled and credit given to Cap- 
tain Reid. 

SEVENTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY. 

The 78th Infantry, Illinois Volunteers, was organized in Quincy, 
III., in August, 1862, by Col. Wm. II. Benueson, and mustered 
into service September 1, 1862. Ordered to Louisville, Ky., where 
it was assigned to the Second Brigade, Fourth Division, Army of 
Ohio ; transferred to Thirty-ninth Brigade, Twelfth Division ; 
afterwards detached from Brigade and assigned to Gen. Boyle, 
Oct. 1, 18G2. This regiment was engaged in many battles during 
the war, among which were Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Kenesaw 
Mountain and others. After a year's service, Col. Benneson re- 
signed, and Lieut. Colonel Van Vleck, of this county, was pro- 
moted to the Colonelcy, and retained command until killed in 
August 1864, near Atlanta, by one of the enemy's sharp shooters. 
Ko braver men than Col. Carter Van Vleck and Major Wm. L. 
Broaddus were ever in command and none more generally beloved 
by their men. Of the bravery of the men it is needless to speak: 
their record is known of all. In this regiment there were 214 
men from this county, and of that number 15 were killed, 28 
wounded, and 23 died of disease while in service, 20 were taken 
prisoners, 6 of whom died at Andersonville, and 3 at Libby. 
This is a record of which we may well be proud. 



200 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Resigning the position of Lieutenant Colonel of the 28th, L. 
H. Waters returned home and succeeded in raising another regi- 
ment, which in due time was mustered into the United States 
service. This regiment was composed in good part of men from 
McDonough county, and therefore deserves record in this place. 
We therefore give the 

EIGHTY-FOURTH INFANTRY. 

The ]*^ighty-fourth Infantry, Illinois volunteers was organized 
at Quincy, Illinois, in August, 1862, by Colonel Louis H. Waters,, 
and mustered into the United States service September 1st, with 
nine hundred and fifty-one men and officers. Ordered to Louis- 
ville, September 23, 1862, and was assigned'to the Tenth Brigade,. 
Colonel Gross commanding. Fourth Division, Brigadier General 
William Sooy Smith commanding, and marched September 29tli 
in pursuit of Bragg. Moved via Bardstown, Danville, Perryville, 
Crab Orchard, Wild Cat, Somerset, Columbia, Glascow, Scotts- 
ville, Gallatin, and Silver Springs to Nashville; from thence via 
Murfreesboro, Bradyville and Manchester to Elk river, and back 
via Hillsboro to Manchester; from thence across the Cumberland 
Mountains, and via Dunlap, Jasper, Battle Creek, Shell Mound, 
Whiteside, Chattanooga, Grayville, Ringgold, Gordon's Mills and 
Crawfish Springs to Chickamauga. On retreat to Chattanooga, 
thence over AValden's Ridge to Shell Mound and Whiteside. 
From thence via Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary 
Ridge to Chickamauga battle-ground, and back by the same route 
to Whiteside; thence moved to Chattanooga, Tyner's Station,^ 
Ooltowah, Cleveland, Charleston, back to Cleveland, Blue Springs 
thence to Red Clay, Catoosa Springs, Tunnell Hill, Buzzard's 
Roost, and back to Blue Springs. Thence by the same route to 
Dalton, and moving forward was engaged at Resaca, Cal- 
houn, Adairsville, Kingston, Cassville, Pumpkin Vine, Burnt 
Hickory, Dallas, iTew Hope Church, Ackworth, Big Shan 
t}^. Pine Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Rough Station, 
Pace's Ferry, Chattahoochie River and Peach Tree creek. 
From thence moved on the fortifications of Atlanta ; thence to 
Rough-and-Ready, Jonesboro and Lovejoy station. From At- 
lanta moved via Marietta, Ackworth, Cartersville, Allatoona,. 
Kingston, Calhoun, Resaca, Snake Creek Gap, Galesville, Ala- 
bama, Chattanooga, Stevenson, Bridgeport, Huntsville, Athens, 
Pulaski, Columbia and Franklin to ISTashville; thence to Pulaski, 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY, 201 

Lexington and Huntsville ; thence by rail to Knoxville, Tenn.- 
tbence to Strawberry Plains and BulTs Gap, and returned to 
iXashville, where, June 8th, 18G5, the regiment was mustered out 
of the United States service. 

Battles in which the 84th was engaged: Stone Kiver, Dec. 31, 
1862, Jan. 12 and 13, 1863 ; loss, two hundred and twenty-eight 
men. AVoodbury, Jan. 17, 1863. Chickamauga, Sept. 19 and 20, 
1863; loss, one hundred and seventy-two men. Lookout Moun- 
tain, Missionary Ridge and Einggold, ISTov. 24, 2a and 26, 1863 ; 
loss, nine men. Dalton, Feb. 22, 1864; loss, four men. In the 
Atlanta campaign: Buzzard's Roost, May 10, 1864; Dalton, May 
13, 1864; Resaca, May 14, 1864; Burnt, Hickory, May 26 to 31, 
and June 1, 2 and 3; Ivenesaw Mountain, Symria, Atlanta, Jones- 
boro and Lovejoy Station ; loss in the campaign, one hundred and 
twenty-iive men. Franklin and ISTashville ; loss, twewty men. 
Total casualties in battle, live hundred and fifty-eight men. 

From the 84th but one man was ever taken prisoner ; but ten 
•deserted ; only one man ever sent to military prison ; and but four 
tried by court martial. 

There w-ere two hundred and five men in the 84th from Mc- 
Donough county, in five diflferent companies — A, B, C, D and F. 
Killed, 11; died, 30; wounded, 39; died in Andersonville prison, 
1 — the onl}^ prisoner taken. Twenty-five per cent, of the whole 
number enlisting from this county in this regiment gave their 
lives for their country. A great sacrifice indeed, but made in a 
good cause. May such an offering never again be required. 

We now call attention to the 

ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEENTH INFANTRY. 

The 119th Infantry, Illinois Volunteers, was organized at Quin- 
cy. 111., in September, 1862, by Colonel Thomas J. Kinney, and 
mustered in Oct. 10th. Xov. 2, moved to Columbus, Ky., and 
thence to Jackson, Tenn.; Feb. 6, 1863, to Ilumbolt; May 30, to 
Memphis, and assigned to Fourth Brigade, Filth Division, and 
Sixteenth Corps. Jan. 27, 1864, the regiment moved to Vicks- 
burg, was engaged in the Meriden campaign, under Gen. Sher- 
man. March 10, embarked on the Red River Expedition, engaged 
in the battles of Fort DeRussey, Pleasant Hill, Bayou la Moore, 
Yellow Bayou. Moved to Vicksburg May 25, and to Memphis 
June 24. By rail to Lagrange, and July 5 commenced march 
through Mississippi. Returned to Memphis the 27th. Sept. 5, 



202 HISTORY OF m'doXOUGII COUNTY. 

moved to Jeflerson Barracks, Mo. (3n Oct. 2, started after Price, 
and returned Nov. 18, having marched 700 miles. Dec. 1, arrived 
at Nashville, engaged in the battle of the Iti. On Feb. 8, em- 
barked for New Orleans, engaged at Spanish Fort and Bhxkely. 
Moved to Montgomery and Mobile. Mustered out Aug. 26, 1865^ 
and arrived at Camp Butler, 111., Sept. 4. Company H. of tliis 
regiment was from this county, and contained 81 men. Tlie 
mortality was 8. 

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH INFANTRY. 

This regiment was organized at Camp Butler, Illinois, in Sep- 
tember, 1862, by Colonel Thomas J. Sloan, and Oct. 6 moved tor 
Jackson, Tenn. ; was assigned to Third Brigade, First Division, 
Thirteenth Corps. ]Moved to Lagrange Nov. 4. On the twenty- 
eighth drove the enemy across the Tallahatchie, and advanced to 
the Yocona river. Feb. 2-3, 1863, moved down the river from 
Memphis to Lake Providence, and March 17 went into camp at 
Berry's Landing. April 18 moved to Milikin's Bend, and on the 
25th commenced the campaign against A-^icksburg. On the 30th 
crossed the river sixty miles below Vicksburg, and the following 
day was engaged at Thompson's Hill. Was engaged in the bat- 
tles of Raymond, Jackson and Champion Hills, May 12, 14 and 16,. 
respectively, and during the entire siege of Yicksburg, including 
the charge on the fortilication and assault on Fort Hill. On the 
thirty-fiist of August went on the campaign to Monroe, La., and 
Oct. 14 to Brownsville, and was in the battles at that place of Oct. 
16 and 17. Nov. 7 went in camp at Black river, and on the 25th 
engaged in a prize drill with five other regiments, excelling 
all others. At a subsequent contest for a prize banner the 124th 
received the banner, inscribed, " Excelsior Regiment, Third 
Division, Seventh Army Corps," from the hands of Major General 
McPherson for excelling in soldierly appearance, discipline, and 
drill. Commenced the raid to Mcriden, Feb. 3, 1864. Returned 
to A'ieksburg March 4. AVas engaged at Benton on May 7,. 
and 10, returned to Yicksburg on the 21st. In July moved Avith 
Gen. Sloeum on his Jackson campaign, and was engaged in the 
gharp light at Jackson Cross roads the 5th and 7th. In Oct. was 
in campaign to White river and Memphis. Remained at Yickburg 
on provost duty until Feb. 25, 1865, when it moved to New Or- 
leans. March 12, embarked for Mobile, moved to Dauphine Is- 
land, and up Fish river, and ccmmenced tlie siege cf Spanish 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 20P) 

Fort. The regiment was the extreme left of the investing line, 
and, with one-half deployed as skirmishers, drove the enemy 
within their fortifications. The regiment started for Montgomery, 
April 13, and July 17, 1865, started home for muster out; arrived 
at Chicago Aug. 3, and mustered out the 15th. One hundred and 
sixteen men \n this regiment were from this county, and in com- 
panies D and I. But one was killed, fourteen died, and six 
wounded. 

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY. 

This regiment was organized at Camp Wood, Quincy, III., by 
Col. John Wood, and mustered in June 5, 1864, for one hundred 
days. On June 9, the regiment left Quincy, and proceeded to 
Memphis, Tenn., where it was assigned to the Fourth Brigade, 
District of Memphis, Colonel E. L. Baltwick, 39th Wisconsin, 
commanding. July 9, assigned to the Third Brigade, Colonel 
John Wood, commanding, and was stationed on the Hernando 
road on picket duty, where, on the twenty-first of August, they 
were attacked by General Forrest; being on the extreme outpost, 
they were the first to meet the enemy, and suffered more than any 
regiment there on duty. The regiment was mustered out of the 
United States service at Springfield, 111., Sept. 4, 1864. 

There were in this regiment from McDonough county one hun- 
dred and fifty-three men, in four different companies, C, D, G and 
I. Three of this number were killed, four died, four wounded, 
and twenty taken prisoners. 

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FIRST INFANTRY. 

This regiment was organized at Quincy, Illinois, and mustered 
into the United States service February 23, 1865, for one year. 
From Quincy it proceeded to Springfield, where it received its 
arms and accoutrements, and was then ordered to Nashville, and 
on March 7 marched to Murfreesboro, and then by rail to Chatta- 
nooga, Tenn., where it remained drilling and engaged in picket 
and guard duty and scouting. April 23, Colonel Woodall was de- 
tailed to proceed under flag of truce to Macon, Ga., via Atlanta, 
to communicate with Major-General Wilson, and carry, also, 
terms oiFered to the rebel General Warford for his surrender, to- 
gether with that of his command. This mission he executed with 
credit and dispatch and was complimented by his commanding 
oflicer, Brigadier-General H. M. Judah. 



204 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

May 2d, ordered to proceed to Resaca, Ga., thence to Calhoun 
and Kingston, where the regiment arrived May 12, after a most 
tiresome march. The regiment marched into this town with the 
precision of regulars, as it was here they were to receive the sur- 
render of the rebel General Warford and his command, which 
was done on the 13th, 14th and loth of May, 18G5 — 10,400 rebels 
paroled in all. 

The regiment remained at Kingston guarding government prop- 
erty, etc. July 28, the regiment proceeded to Columbus, Ga., 
where, January 24, 1866, it was mustered out and ordered to 
Springfield, Illinois, where it received iinal payment and discharge 
February 8, 1866. 

Of this regiment 1^,8 were McDonough county men, of whom 
but four died, being the only casualties, as far as known. 

BATTERY H — SECO^^D ARTILLERY. 

Battery II, Second 111. Light Artillery, was organized at Camp 
Butler, 111., Dec. 1861, by Capt. Andrew Stenbeck, and was mus- 
tered in Dec. 31, 1861, and Feb. 6, 1862, moved to Cairo, 111., and 
was stationed at Fort Holt. One section moved to siege Ft. Pil- 
low, and returned to Columbus, Ky. and from there to Henderson 
and went into pursuit of Morgan, Aug. 1. One section moved to 
Smithtield, Ky., and Sept. 4, one moved to Clarksville, Tenn. 
Jan. 1, 1864, sixty-live men re-enlisted as veteran, and were fur- 
loughed. During the summer of 1864, the men of the battery 
were mounted and armed, as cavalry, and used in scouting, etc. 
Aug. 8, engaged the enemy at Canton and Rockcastle Ford, Ky., 
and subsequently were in garrison at Clarksville, until July 15, 
1865, when the battery moved to SpringHeld, 111., for muster out, 
and accordingly July 29 was mustered out of service. Fourteen 
men of this battery were from McDonough county, none of whom 
were killed, and but one died. 

COMPANY B — TENTH MISSOURI INFANTRY. 

At the first call for 300,000 men, made by President Lincoln in 
1861, Dr. W. F. Bayne, of Macomb, made up a company, and im- 
mediately wrote to Springfield and tendered its service to Gov- 
ernor Yates. The Governor informed him that, as he had already 
accepted two companies from McDonough county, and that being 
their full quota, he must decline any more. The doctor, with his 
men, not desiring to quietly submit and remain at home in time of 
their country's peril, concluded to go to Missouri and enlist, that 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 205 

State being unable to iill her quota. They accordingly went to 
St. Louis without delay, tendered their service, and was accepted 
by Governor Gamble, and mustered into service at St. Louis 
Arsenal, as Co. B ; was put on detached duty until 1862, when they 
were assigned to the 10th Missouri Infantry, Second Brigade, 
Third Division, Army of the Mississippi. The doctor received 
the commission of Captain, and for two years (having to resign on 
account of ill health) led the company through many of the hot- 
test engagements of the rebellion. A'ery soon after the Captain 
had been commissioned he received a letter from Governor Yates 
accepting the services of his company, stating that when the two 
companies referred to came to muster they had only men enough 
for one. This letter was received too late to effect any change. 
Had it arrived a few hours earlier Captain Bayne and his com- 
pany would have been in the 28th Illinois Yolunteeers. One of 
the most efficient regiments engaged in the suppression of the re- 
bellion was the 10th Missouri Infantry, and no company of that 
regiment did better service or has a brighter record than Co. B, of 
McDonough count3^ 

Many of those enlisting in 1861 never returned to their homes, 
still there are a few of the brave boys scattered here and there 
over the country who, sixteen years ago, were so resolutely deter- 
mined to defend their country. The following are some of the 
more prominent engagements in which Co. B took an active part: 
Corinth, in the spring of 1862; luka, September, 1862; Corinth, 
Oct. 3 and 4, 1862 ; Raymond, Miss., May 12, 1863 ; Jackson, May 
14, 1863, and Champion Hills, May 16. The company was before 
Vicksburg during the siege, from May 18 to July 4, 1863. 

OFFICERS AND ENLISTED xMEN OF COMPANY B, TENTH MISSOURI INFANTRY. 



Captain, "William F, Bayne; First Lieutenant, James E. Flem- 
ing; Second Lieutenant, Jerry Randolph; First Sergeant, David 
S.Randolph; Second Sergeant, James McClelland; Third Ser- 
geant, Calvin R. Single ; Fourth Sergeant, James F. Jones ; Fifth 
Sergeant, John H. Moore; Corporals, James F. Greenup, Russell 
T. Stokes, James W. Harlan, John Matheny, Crawford J. Lindsey, 
Crawford Cubbison, Isaac Halterman, John AV. Clark. Fifer, 
Charles Morris. Drummer, John AV. Foley. Privates, Samuel 
Baldwin, George W. Baney, Rsece W. Barnes, Andrew J. Clark, 
Presley Cubbinson, Daniel A. Camp, William H. ])avis, Thomas 



206 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

J. Ferguson, Francis M. Fleming, John II. Fair, Samuel II. Fris- 
clive, Edwin A. Farley, Albert Freas, Robert F. Frances, Hiram 
P. Howe, Anderson D. Hainline, Joseph Hensley, William O. 
Iloskinson, John Ilorton, William li. Kirk, John P. Lane, Wil- 
liam P. Leaphart, William T. Moore, Robert J. Mills, David E. 
Marler, Richard A. Morris, John Melvin, William IST. McGraw, 
Isaac D. Morgan, Robert S. Morgan, David II. McCartney, John 
W. Myers, Thomas J. Martin, David C. Newell, Harvey Oatman, 
William B. Rice, Edward C. Rabbit, Louis Roberts, George A. 
Robinson, Hiram L. Sweeny, John M. Sweeny, AVilliam S. Stokes, 
AVilliam II. Stevens, George Sherwood, George W. Thompson, 
Leander C. Twichel, John E. Vance, Isaac 'H. VauIIoesen, John 
Wooley, Milton Woolridge, W. H. Woods, Felix B. White, 
William II. Young. 

SUMMARY. 

AVe find, under the various calls, McDonough county was called 
upon to raise 2,737 men. By the reports of the Adjutant Gen- 
eral of the State we learn that there were credited to the county 
2,734, leaving a deficit of three men. If the seventy-one men en- 
listing in the 10th Missouri infantry had been duly credited to 
the county, together with many enlisting in companies made up 
principally and credited wholly to other counties, we would have 
exceeded our quota by at least two hundred men. Only about 
twenty of the one hundred and two counties in the State furnished 
as great a number proportionately. 

McDonough county was represented in thirty-three regiments 
and in seventy-eight companies. There were sixty-nine men 
killed in battle, one hundred and eighty-two wounded, and one 
hundred and seventy-six died while in the service, of whom we 
have no record,. 

Below will be found a carefully compiled statement taken from 
the reports of the Adjutant-General ot the State and revised in 
great part by some one familiar with each regiment and company. 
We have tried to make it correct and reliable, having spent many 
days in the work of compilation. 



HISTORY OF M'DONOUGII COUNTY. 207 

SECOND ARTILLERY. 

BATTERY H. 

Sergeant Jonas Eckdall, Macomb, enlisted Dec. 1, 1861, Promoted to 1st lieutenant. 

Clark, Peter, Sr., Macomb, enlisted Dec. 1, ISCl. Discharged March 25, 1803; disability. 

Clark, Peter, Jr., Macomb, enlisted Dec. 1, 1861. Discharged March 25, 1863; disability. 

Rntishamer, Jacob, Macomb, enlisted Dec. 1, 1861. Died at Columbus, Ky., April 4, 1862. 

Smith, James, Macomb, enlisted Dec. 1, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Ju!y 29, '('5. 

Waldrick, Patrick, Macomb, enlisted Dec. 1, 1861. Deserted Aug. 31, 1862. 

Corporal Newton Jellison, Macomb, re-enlisted Jan. 23, 18(54. Mustered out July 29, 1865. 

.lellison, John, Macomb, re-enlisted Jan. 22, 1864. Mustered out July 29, 1865. 

McCarthy, John, Macomb, re-enlisted Jan. 23, 1S61. Mustered out July 29, 1S65. 

Megan, Martin, Macomb, re-enlisted Jan. 23, 1S6I. Discharged May 25,1865; di-sability. 

Stewart, Charles, Macomb, re-enlisted Jan. 2. 1864. 

Whitten, James, Macomb, re-enli.sted Jan. 1, 1864. Mustered out July 29, 186.5. 

Walter, Isadore, Macomb, re-enlisted Jan. 23, 1864. Mustered out July 29, 1865. 

BATTERY K. 

Fishbourne, Thomas, :Macorab, May 23, 1861. 

Harris, Columbus, Middletown, Feb. 1, 1862. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out July 11, 1805. 

SECOND CAVALRY. 

COMPANY H. 

Captain Jam^s D. Walker, Macomb, commissioned Aug. 24, 1861. Resigned Jan. 17, 1862. 

Captain Josephus B. Venard, Macomb, commissioned July 20, 1864. Mustered out Nov. 22, 18«)5. 

First Lieutenant George W. Naylor, Macomb, commissioned July 20, 1864. Mtist'd out Nov. 22,'65. 

(JuartermastiT Sergeant Charles H. Rogers, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Deserted Oct. 1, 1862. 

Sergeant Williiun Venable, Mucomb, enlisted Aug. 6. 1861. Disch'd Aug. 11, 1861; tsrm expired. 

Corporal (Jahriel Jones, Blaudinsville, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Discharged Aug. 11, 1864. 

Corporal John shipman, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out 
Kov. 22, 1865. 

Corporal Thomas Hays, Blandinsville. enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Discharged July 3, 1S63; disability. 

Corporal John Venard, Macomb, en'isted Aug. 6, 1861. Discharged Aug. 11, 1864. 

Corporal Oliver Williams, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 6 1861. Discharged Aug. 11, 1864. 

Buglar William H. Hudson, Blandinsville. enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Discharged Aug. 11, 1864. 

Buglar Frank R. Kyle. Macomb, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Discharged Jan. 2, 1865; disability. 

Saddler James Ellis. Macomb, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Died July 4, 1863. 

Austin, James, Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Discharged Sept. 25, 1862; disability. 

Bartleson, Charles, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Discharged Aug. 11, 1864 : corporal. 

Brown, William, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Transferred to Co. 1, 4th U. S. cavalry, 

('base. James P., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Discharged Aug. 11, 1864. 

Haliiday, Thomas, L., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Killed at Shiloh, .\pril 6, 1862. 

Calvin, Henry C, Macomb, enlisted -Vug. 6, 1861. IMortally wounded Nov. 11, 1863. 

Davis, George, Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Died at Trenton, Tenn., Aug. 16, 1862. 

Hamilton, Thomas, Bushnell, enlisted Aug. C, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out 
Nov. 22, 1865. 

Hanson, Nels, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Re-en)isted as veteran ; must'd out Nov, 22, 18t>5. 

Hogan, Augustus, Macomb, enlisted Aug, 6, 1861. Discharged Aug. 11, 1864, term expired. 

Ingram, Rilev, Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861, Re-enlisted as veteran. Mustered out Not. 
22, 1865. 

Jacobs, Mark F., MacDmb, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Discharged Aug. 11, 1864. 

Johnston, Henry, Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Dischiirged April 14, 1863. 

Kohule, John, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Discharged .\\ig. 11, 1864. 

Kinkade, Mack, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Discharged March 16, 1862. 

Limberge, Henry, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran, promoted to Sergeant- 
Major. 

Morgan, James G., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Discharged Aug. 11, 1864. 

McMahon, Thad. ('., Macomb, enlistod .\ug. 6, 1861. Discharged for promotion Aug. 1, 1862. 

Munson, William F., Macomb, enlisted .Vug. 6, 1S61. Discharged Aug. 11, 1862. 

Metis, John H., Macomb, enlisted .\ug. 6, 18t)l. Re-enlisted as veteran, deserted Sept. 11, 1865. 

McClure, James, Mncoinb, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Discharged .Nfarch 20, 1862, disability. 

Martin, Charles E., Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 6, l.s61. Disi harged Aug. 11, 1864. 

Alarkham, Daniel, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Discharged Aug. 11, 1864. 

Markham, Henry L., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 6. 1861. Discharged Aug. 11, 1864. 

Norwood, Douglas, Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 6, istil. Dischargfd .\ng. 18, 1862. 

Oertel, Jacob, Macomb, enlisted .\ng. 6, 1861. Killed at Hdllv Springs. Dec. 20, 1862. 

Payton, John, Bushnell, enli.-;ted Aug. 6, 1861. Discharged for luoniotion, June 13, 1863. 

Rickets, Rival, Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Dischiirged .March 20, 1862, di.sabilily. 

Rickets, Green, Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Discharged Oct. 18, 1862, disability. 

Seiberling. Henry M, Blandinsville. enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Discharged Aug. 11, 1864, Corporal. 

Shannon, John, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Discharged Aug. 11, 1864, Corporal. 

Tyson, Charles F., Tenne.s.sce, enlisteil A<ig. 6, 1861. Promoted Commissary Sergeant Nov. 1, 1862. 

Walker, Samuel P., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 6, 1S61. Discharged for promotion Aug. 1, 1862. 

ANelkin, Ohio, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Discharged May 5, 1862. 

Warren, Edward F., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Discharged March 25, 1862. 

Wright, Thomas, Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. Discharged for promotion Juno 13, \9GS. 



208 HISTORY OF :\l'DONOU<iII COUNTY. 

Yaple, Oscar, Maromb, cMilisterl Aug. 0, istu. Dischari^ed Auk. 11, isw. 

Beck, James £., Macomb, enlisted August 12, 1S62. Ke-enlisled as veteran, mu.stered out June 11, 
ISfi.i, Corporal. 

Beck, Jessie, Macomb, enlisted Anc;. I'i, 18G2. Discharged June 15, ISf,:?; disability, wounds. 

Bently, Cenrse K., Macomb, enlisted .Vug. 25, 18G2. Discharged March 15, 1863. 

Butclier, Bowman R., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 8, 1862. Re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out June 
11, 18ti5. 

Butcher, John M., JIacomb, enlisted Aug. 8, 18C2. Re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out June 
11, 18C5. 

Butcher, Preston, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 8, 1862. Re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out June 
11, 1865. 

Ballon, Charles, Blandinsville, enlisted February 16, 1864. Mustered out Nov. 22, 1865. 

Cockerham, William, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 8, 1862. Re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out June 
11. ls6,'i. Corporal. 

Curtis, Kdwaid E., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 8, 1862. Killed at Sabine, La., April 8. 1864. 

Clugston, Warren, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 8, 1862. Discharged Oct. 13, 1862, disability. 

Cockerham, Daniel, Tennessee, enlisted March 28, 1S6-1. Mustered o>it June 22, 1865. 

Dark, Samuel A., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862. Discharged Dec. 18, 1863, disability. 

Dunham, George, Blandinsville, enlisted Feb. 16, 1864. Transferred to Company E., mustered 
out June 22, 1865. 

Freeland, Charles, Blandinsville, enlisted Nov. 5, 1863. 'Mustered out May 27, 1865. 

Edward, Edmonds, Macomb, enlisted March 15, 1864. Transferred to Co. K., mustered out Nov. 
22. 186,5. 

Huff, James E., Blandinsville, enlisted Nov. 5, 1863. Mustered out Nov. 22, 1865. 

Jackson, Edwin, Macomb, enlisled Sept. 14, 1862. Mustered out June U, 1865. 

Jewett, A. v., Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 27, 1864. Mustered out June 11, 1865. 

Kinkade, John H., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 8, 1862. Died at CarroUton, La., Aug. 23, 1863. 

Keithley, Andrew, Blandinsville, enlisted Nov. 5. 1863. Transferred to Co. E., mustered out Nov. 
22, 1865. 

Knowles, Robertson B., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 8. 1862. Re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out 
June 11, 1865. 

Lee, (icorge W., Macomb, enlisted Nov. .5, 1863. Transferred to Co. C, deserted Sept. 20, 1865. 

Markham, Aaron, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 8, 1862. Re-enlisted as veteran, died at Baton Rouge, 
La. 

Markham, Daniel, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 8, 1862. Mustered out June 11, 1865. 

Markham, Archey, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 8, 1862. Re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out June 11, 
186.5. 

Michaels. William F., Blandinsville, enlisted Nov. 5, 1863. Transferred to Co. E., mustered out 
Nov. 22, 1865. 

Morgan, Isaac L., Bethel, enlisted Nov. 24, 1864. Transferred to Co. E., mustered out Nov. 23, 
1865. 

Pace, Andrew J., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 8, 1862. Re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out June 11, 
lSfi5. 

Rickets, Pleasant G., Blandinsville, enlisted Nov. 5, 1863. Transferred to Co. E., mustered out 
Nov. 22, 1865. 

Rouse, Levi 11., Blandinsville, enlisted Feb. 16, 1864. Veteran recruit. 

Sullivan, John, Macomb, enlisted March 11, 1864. Transferred to Co. E., mustered out Nov. 22, 
1865. 

Schultz, John H., Macomb, enlisted March 11, 1861. Transferred to Co. E., mustered out Nov. 22, 
1865. 

Tift, Semer B., Blandinsville, enlisted Feb. 16, 1864. Mustered out Oct. 22, 1865. 

Venard, Josephus B., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 2, 1861. Promoted Captain. 

Tift, Silas J., Blandinsville, enlisted Feb. 16, 1864. Transferred to Co. E., mustered out Nov. 22, 
1865. 
Venard, George G., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 8. 1862. Discharged March 15, 1863. 

Wagle, William A., Middletown, enlisted March 26, 1864. Transferred to Co. E., mustered out 
Nov. 22, 1865. 

Wright, Hiram B, New Salem, enlisted Jan. 18,1864. Transferred to Co. E., mustered out Nov. 
22, 1864. 

Webb, Silas H., Blandinsville, enlisted Feb. 16, 1864. Transferred to Co. E., mustered out Nov. 
22, 1865. 

Chapman, Amos, Macomb, enlisted Sept. 1, 1864. Transferred to Co. E., mustered out Nov, 22, 
1865. 

Dickens, Joshua, Macomb, enlisted Sept. 1. 1864. Transferred to Co. E., mustered out Nov. 22, 
1865. 

Lightfood, Armsted, Macomb, enlisted Sept. 1, 1861. Transferred to Co. E., mustered out Nov.22, 
1865. 

Scott, Thomas, Macomb, enlisted Sept. 1, 1864. Transferred to Co. E., mustered out Nov, 22, 
1865. 

SEVEXTH CAVALRY. 

COMPANY K. 

Adams, Matthew, Prairie City, enlisted March 3, 1865. Absent sick at muster out of regiment. 
<;ustass(>n, .Alexander, I'rairie City, March 3, 1865. Mustered out Nov. 4, 1865. 
Jamieson, Lewis M., Prairie C;ity, Slarch 3, 1865. Mustered out Sept. 27, 1865. 
Nelson, Enoch, Prairie City, March 3, 1865. Died at Louisville, Ky , Sept. 29, 1865. 
Smith, Lewis M., Prairie C:uy, Feb. 2, 1864. Mustered out Nov. 4, 1865. 

COMPANY L. 

Captain George M. Scott, Bnshnell, commmissioned Aug 21, 1861. Resigned July 3, 1862. 
€ai-tain Scjuire A. Epperson, Bnshnell, commissioned July 3, 1862. Term expired Nov. 12, 186.5. 



HISTORY OF M'DONOrcni COUNTY. 209 

Captnin Paniel M. Wilt, Biishnell, commissioned Nov. 12, 1S6J. Mustered out Nov. 4, 180.5. 

First Lieutenant Warren W. Porter, New Sulem, commissioned Aug. 21, 1S61. Term expired Oct. 
15, 1861. 

First Lieutenant .Tamos Price. Kldorado, commissioned Oct. 15, 1864. Mustered out Nov. 4, 1865. 

Second Lieutenant Squire A. Epperson, Huslinell, commissioned Au.?. 21, 1861. Promoted. 

Second Lieutenant Daniel M. Wilt, Hushnell, commissioned .July:?, 1862. Promoted. 

Secoud Lieutenant Klijah F. Martin, Bushnell, commissioned April 25,1865. Commission can- 
celled. 

Second Lieutenant Lewis Pickel, New Salem, commissioned Aug. 11, 1865. Mustered out Nov. 

4, 1865. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Alexander W. Scott, Bardolph, enlisted Sept. 1, 1861. Re-enlisted as vet- 
eran, mustered out Nov. 5, 1865. 
Sergeant Israel Markham, Bardolph, enlisted Sept. 1, 1861. A[ustered out Oct. 15, 1864. 
Sergeant James W. Lancy, Bushnell, enlisted Sept. 1. 1861. Mustered out Oct. 15, 1864. 
Sergeant John R. Sperling, Bushnell, enlisted Sept. 1. 1861. Mustered Oct. 15, 1864. 
Sergeant Eliab Martin, Bushnell, enlisted Sept. 1, 1861. Re-enlisted veteran, mustered out Nov. 

5, 1865. 

Corporal Lester Husted, New Salem, enlisted Sept. 1, 1861. Mustered out Sept. 2, 1864, wounded. 

Corporal Alexander Lockard, New Salem, enlisted Sept. 1, 1S61. Killed at Birds Point, Mo., Jan. 
10, 1862. 

Corporal John T. Lancy, Bu-shnell, enlisted Sept. 1, 1861. Discharged Nov. 23, 1862, disability. 

Corporal Heniy B. Parvin, Bushnell, enlisted Sept. 1. l.'^Ol. Mustered out Oct. 15, 1864. 

Corporal George Stansbury, Bushnell, enlisted Sept. 1, 1861. Mustered out Oct. 15, 1864. 

Dewey, George I., Prarie City, enlisted Sept. 1, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out 
Nov. 4, 186.5. 

Francis, Henry H., Colchester, enlisted Sept. 1, 1801. Re-enlisted veteran, mustered out Nov. 4, 
1865, 

Hammer, John. Bardolph, Sept. 1, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out Nov. 4, 1865. 

Harris, Alexander, Bardolph, enlisted Sept. 1, 1861. Discharged May 16, 1862, disability. 

Uopwood, Josephus, Bushnell, enlisted Sept. 1, 1801. Mustered out Oct. 25, 1804. 

Lambert, David, Bushnell, enlisted Sept. 1, 1861. Re-enlisted veteran, corporal, sick at muster out. 

Lair, Daniel, Bushnell, enlisted Sept. 1, 1861. Killed at Birds Point, Mo, Jan. 10, 1862. 

Long, Henry, Bushnell, enlisted Sept. 1. 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out Nov. 5, 1865. 

Meyers, Christian, Bushnell, enlisted Sept. 1, 1861. Killed at Birds Point, Mo., Jan. 10, 1862. 

Myers, Frederick, Bushnell, enlisted Sept. 1, 1861. Discharged Oct. 15, 1862, disability. 

Price, James, Eldorado, enlisted Sept. 1, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran, promoted. 

Schall, Samuel S., Macomb, enlisted Sept. 1, 1861. Died at Oxford, Miss., Dec. 7, 1862, wounds. 

Wilt, Daniel M., Bn.shnell, enlisted Sept, 1, 1861. Promoted. 

Wilson, James M., Bardolph, enlisted Sept. 1, 1861. Mustered out Oct. 15, 1864. 

Wilson, James, Bushnell, enlisted Sept. 1, 1861. Mustered out Oct. 15, 1864. 

Adcock, Joseph, Eldorado, enlisted Nov. 2, 1S61. Re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out July 8. 
1865. 

Atkinson, Charles, Macomb, enlisted Nov. 3, 1861. Mustered out Oct. 15, 1864. 

Adock, George L., New Salem, enlisted Feb. 22, 1865. Mustered out Nov. 4, 1865. 

Allison, Samuel, Bethel, enlisted April 4, 1865. Mustered out Nov. 4, 1865. 

Brown, William B., New Salem, enlisted August 28, 1862. Mustered out July 12, 1865. 

Burnett, Daniel D., New Salem, enlisted August iO, 1802. Discharged April 8, 1863, disability. 

Boughner, Christian, Mound, enlisted Feb. 14, 1805. Mustered out Nov. 4, 1865. 

Campbell, Jahn A., Walnut Grove, enlisted April 7, 1864. Mustered out Nov. 4, 1865. 

Epperson, John L., New Salem, enlisted Aug. 20, 1862. Mustered out July 12, 1865 

Husted, Marion, New Salem, enlisted Dec. 16, 1863. Mustered out Nov. 4, 1805, as corporal. 

Eveland, Charles B., Mound, enlisted P'eb. 9, 1865. Mustered outNov. 4, 1865. 

Elliott, Jasper S., New Salem, enlisted March 1, 1865. Mustered out Nov. 4, 1865. 

Henry, Lorenzo D., Mound, enlisted Feb. 9, 1805. Mustered out Nov. 4, 1865. 

John.son, Nathaniel L., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 4, 1862. Mtistered out July 12, 1865. 

Jones, Thomas {;., New Salem, enlisted Feb. 28, 1865. Mustered out Nov. 4, 186.5. 

Matthewson, Josiah C, New Salem, enlisted August 24, 1862. Mustered out Nov. 4, 1865. 

Mitchell, Levi, Macomb, enlisted Sept. 2, 1862. Mustered out July 12, 1865. 

.McDerniott, Patrick, New Salem, enlisted Decern 1 je r 1(\ lMi:i. Mustered out Nov. 4, 1865. 

Markham, Frank, Prairie City, enlisted Aug, 20, 1804. Mustered out July 12, 1865. 

Markham, Hiram, Bushnell, enlisted Sept. 3, 1«01. Discharged for disability. 

Markham, Harrison, Mound, enlisted Feb. 9, 1805. iJustercd out Nov. 4, 186.5. 

.McGinnis, John, New Salem, enlisted Feb. 2n, 1805. Mustered out Nov. 4, 1865. 

Myers. James J., Walnut Grove, enlisted March 7, 1865. Mustered out Nov. 4, 1865. 

McClure, Winslow, MouJid, enlisted Feb. 9, l.s6.5. Mustered out June 22, 1865. 

Park, William B., New .Salem, enlisted August 11, l.MVJ. Died at Baton Rouge, La., July 14, 1863. 

Pyle, Benjamin F., New Salem, enlisted Aug. 20, 18(i2. Died at LaGrange, Tenn , Feb. 15, 1863. 

Schall, John L., Macomb, enlisted Nov. 2, 1861. Discharged May 6, l,'<62, disability. 

Scott, Seymore R., Mound, enlisted March 7, 1865. Mustered out Aug, 23, 1865, 

Thompson, Henry, New Salem, enlisted Aug, 4, 1862. Died at Memphis, May 5, 1864. 

Wi.ssler, Jonas, New Salem, enlisted .March 1, 1862. Mustered out March 11, 1805. 

Willis, William II., New Salem, enlisted April 11, 1864. Mustered out Nov. 4, 1865, as corporal. 

Wooley, Lewis B., New Salem, enlisted Feb. 28, 1865. Mustered out Nov. 4, 1875. 

White, William J., Mound, enlisted March 7, 1865. Mustered out Nov. 4, 1865. 

EIGHTH CAVALRY. 

COMPANY G. 

Danley, William L., Macomb, enlisted Sept. 14, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; absent sick at 
muster out. 

Delaney, Dennis, Macomb, enlisted Sept. 14, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out July 17, 
1865. 



210 HISTORY OF m'donough county. 

Edmiston. Juiul's ('., Macomb, enlisted Sept. 14, 18G1. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mu.stored out July 
17. 1S05. 

I.uton, Samuel, Macfnnb, enlisted Sept. 11, ISfil. Discharged Nov. 4, lSfi2 ; di.sability. 

Luther, James, Macomb, enlisted Sept. 14, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out July 17, 
1SC.5. 

Lear, John W.. Macomb, enlisted Sept. 14, 18C1. Re-enlisted as veteran; absent sick at muster 
out. 

O'Brian , James, Macomb, enlisted Sept. 14, 1861 . Re-enlisted as veteran ; discharged Feb. 9, ISCS ; 
disnbilitv. 

Woobiry, (feorge, Macomb, enlisted Sept. 14. 1831. Died at Camp Relief, D. C, May 20, 18G4. 

ELEVENTH CAYALRV. 

COMPANY I. 

Captain Ilarvey T. OrPKP, Prairie City, commissioned April 18, 1862. Resigned Sept. 2.3, 1B62. 

Captiiin William R. Hays, Blandmsviile, commissioned Sept. 23, 1862. Promoted Major; mustered 
out July 1. 1865. 

First Lieutenant Joseph Edell, Blandinsville, commissioned June 6, 1865. Mustered out Sept. 
30. 186.5. 

Second Lieutenant John H. Hays, Blandinsville, commissioned Sept. 23, 1862. Dismissed Aug. 
26, 1864. 

Second Lieutenant Henry C. Fuller, Macomb, commissioned June 6, 1865. Mustered out Sept. 
30, 1865. 

Sergeant John II. Ilays, Blandinsville, enlisted Nov. 7, 1861. Promoted, 

Sergeant Martin V. (iwen, Blandinsville, enlisted Oct. 10. 1861. 

Corporal Tlifophilus Speillman, Blandinsville, enlisted Nov. 10, 1861. Re-enlistcd as veteran: 
mustered out .Sept. 30. Isti5. 

Corporal Robert S. Brooking, Macomb, enlisted Nov. 15, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered 
out Sept. 30, 1865. 

Corporal Adam S. Zimmermann, Walnut Grove, enlisted Oct. 17, 1861. 

Bntterlleld, C. \V., Middletown, enlisted Nov. 20, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out 
Sept. 30, 1S65. 

Camp, Edward S. Blandinsville, enlisted Nov. 15, 1861. Discharged. 

Calkins, George \V.. Macomb, enlisted Nov. 15. 1861. Drowned in Clear creek while scouting. 

Cox, R. S., Middletown, enlisted Nov. 20, 1861. Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps Feb. 11, 
1864. 

Davidson. Henrv C, Blandinsville, enlisted Nov. 15, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out 
Sept. 30, 1865. 

Duncan, Elijah, Blandinsville, enlisted Nov. 2, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out 
Sept. 30, i.sori. 

Edell, Joseph. Blandinsville. enlisted Nov. 15, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; promoted. 

Friend, Tnomas J., Middletown, enlisted Nov. 7, 1861. Discharged Jan. 8, 1863. 

Freeland, Fleming F., Blandinsville, enlisted Nov. 15, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran: mustered 
out Sept. :ho, 1865. 

Gates, George C, Blandinsville, enlisted Nov. 20, 1861. Killed at Bethel, Tenn., June 18, 1862. 

Graves, William C, Macomb, enlisted Nov, 10, 1861. 

Gove, Charles, Blandinsville, enlisted Nov. 15, 1861. Re-enlisted veteran ; discharged Aug. 12, 1865. 

Hays, Levi S., Blandin.sville, enlisted Nov. 15, 1861. Discharged Jan. 26, 1862. 

Holler, Joseph, Macomb, enlisted Nov. 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Sept. 30, 
186.5. 

Hume, Robert AV., Blandinsville, enlisted Nov. 15, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out 
Sept. 30, 186."). 

Keithley, Francis M., Blandin.sville, enlisted Nov. 7, 1861. Discharged June 7, 1862. 

Kirkpatrick, William B,, Blandinsville, enlisted Nov. 7, 1861. 

Lowe, Austin, Blandinsville, enlisted Nov. 10,1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Sept. 
.30. 186.'S. 

McKinnpv, Ephraim, Macomb, enlisted Nov. 20, 1861. Died at Memphis, Tenn. 

Metcalf, William E., Blandinsville. enlisted Nov. 20, 1861. Discharged Aug. 21, 1862. 

Mayhugli, McCuUum, Blandinsville, enlisted Nov. 20, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered 
out Sept. oO, 1865. 

McQueen, Arlow, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 14, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Sept. 30, 
1865. 

Pennington, Thomas, Industrv, enlisted Nov. 15, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out 
Sept. 30. 1.S65. 

Pennington, Allen, Industrv, enlisted Nov. 15, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; discharged Aug. 4, 
1865; (lisahility. 

Schenck, Pliillip, Mncomb, enlisted Nov. 10, 1861. Died at St. Louis, Aug. 1, 1*62. 

Spirva, F. M., Middletown, enlisted Nov. 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Sept. 30, 
ISfifS. 

Webster, Francis B., Macomb, enlisted Nov. 10, 1861, Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Sept. 
30, 1865. 

Weston, Benjamin F.. Bardolph, enlisted Nov. 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out 
Sept. 30, 1805 : sergeant. 

Bushnell, Homer, Blandinsville, enlisted March 25, 1864. Mustered out Sept. 30, 186.5. 

Bughman, James K. P , Blandinsville, enlisted March 26, 1S64. Mustered out .Sept. .30, 1865. 

Bailey, William S., Blandinsville, enlisted March 22, 1864. Mustered out Sept. 30, 1365. 

Butler, Ozias, Blandinsville, enlisted, Jan. 1, 1862. Re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out Sept. 
30. 1865. 

Butler, Harrj- R., Blandinsville, enlisted Jan. 1, 1862. Discharged Oct. 25, 1862. 

r.ourson, Andrew, Walnut Gove, enlisted ivfarch 7, 1865. Mustered out Sept. 30, 1865. 

Cunningham, William. Prairie City, enlisted March 4, 1865. Mustered out Sept. 30, 1865. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUKTV. 211 

Coe, Edward D., Blaudinsville, enlisted Oct. 1'), 18()'2. Discharged Oct. SI, ISfi:?, for promotion. 

Davis, Reuben A., Prairie (^ity, enlisted March 4, 1805. Mustered out Sept. 30, 180.'). 

Durham, William A., Industry, enlisted Jan. 1, 1862. Re-enllsted as veteran; mustered out 
Sept. 30, 186.5. 

Duncan, Elias, Blandinsville, enlisted March 1, 1802. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Sept. 
30, 180."). 

Edell, Louis. Blandinsville, enlisted Dec. 28, ISGl. Discharged Oct. 24, 18fV2. 

Foster, William II.. Wanint (irove, enlisted March 7, 1802. Mustered out Sept. SO, 180.5. 

Farris. Williani C , Hlandinsville, enlistedJan. 1, 1802. Deserted June 1, 1802. 

Gove, Benjamin F., Blandinsville, enlisted Jan. 1,1802. Reeulisted as veteran ; mustered out 
Sept. 30, 180.5 ; sergeant. 

Grigsby, Redmond, Blandinsville, enlisted March 30,1864. 

Hays. George W., Blandinsville, enlisted March 2.5, 1864. Mustered out Sept. 30, 1865, a.s corporal. 

Hainline, Nathan G., Blaudinsville, enlisted .M.irch 22, 1804. Mustered out Sept. 30, 1805. 

Jackson, Henry I)., Blandinsville. enlisted JI:irch2-5, 1804. Mustered out May 22, 18C5. 

Jackson, John, Blandinsville, enlisted March 1, 1802. Died at St. Louis, June'l8, 1802. 

Luthey, Francis A., Blandinsvile, enlistedJan. 1, 1862. Discharged Feb. 2, 1863. 

Lillard. Augustus, Middletown, enlistedJan. 2, 1802. Discharged Aug. 19, 1862. 

Mitchell. Marcellus, Macomb, enlisted March 30, 1.H04. Mustered out Sept. 30, 1865. 

Moore, William W., Middletown, enlistedJan. 1, 1862. 

Millington, German, Bushnell, enlisted March 1, 1S02. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out. 

McQueen, Norman, Bushnall, enlisted March 1, 1802. Discharged Aug. 21, 1862. 

Pennington, Francis M., Industry, enlisted April 1, 1864. Mustered o\it Sept. 30, 1865. 

Pennington, Stewart M., Industry, enlisted Jan. 1, 1862. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out 
Sept. 30. 1805; sergeant. 

Penningtou, William R., Industry, enlisted Jan. 1, 1862. Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, 
May 10, 1.S64. 

Pennington, John L., Industry, enlisted Jan. 1, 1862. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Sept. 
30, 1805 ; corporal. 

Snvder, Henry, Blandinsville, enlisted Jan. 1, 1862. Deserted Feb. 1. 1862. 

Titus, John M., Blandinsville, enlisted March 26. 1864. Died at Vicksburg, July 26, 1864. 

Wyman, J. Alexander, Blandinsville, enlisted March 31, 1.S64. Mustered out Sept. 30, 1865. 

Wiliard. Reiley, Prairie City, enlisted March 4, 1865. Mustered out Sept. :50, 1865. 

Williams, Reuben, Blandinsville, enlisted Nov. 1, 1801. Discharged Oct. 1, 1802. 

York, Francis, Blandinsville, enlisted Jan. 1, 1862. Re-enlisted as veteran ; promoted to chief 
bugler. 

COMPANY G. 

Pixley, Euoch, Industry, enlisted -Vug. 1, 1861. Mustered out Junel, 1865. 

COMPANY K. 

Botkins, Ira B., Prairie City, enlisted Feb. 14, 1,<<6.5. Mustered out Sept. 30, 1805. 
Harvermail, Mont. H., Walnut Grove, enlisted Feb. 14, 1805. Mustered out Sept. ,30, 1805. 
Ilefley, William, Blandinsville, enlisted Feb. 17, 1865. Transferred to Fifth Illinois Cavalry. 
Johns"on, Edwin W^, Prairie City, enlisted Feb. 14, 1S65. Mustered out Sept. 30, 1805. 
Johnson, Svlvanus B., Prairie Citv, enlisted Feb. 14, 1865. Mustered out Aug. 10, 1.865. 
Little, Henry C, Walnut Grove, enlisted Feb. 14, 180.5. Mustered out Sept. 30, 180.5. 
Morse, William H., Prairie Citv, enlisted Feb. 14, 1865. Mustered out Sept. 30, 1865. 
RiUikin, Silas E., Prairie Citv, enlisted Feb. 14, 1865. Mustered out Sept. 30, 1865. 
Shultz, David A., Prairie City, enlisted Feb. 14, 186.5. Mustered out Sept. 30, 186.5. 
Sweegle, Robert, Prairie City, enlisted March 3, 1.865. Mustered out Sept. 30, 1865. 
Sweegle, John, Prairie City, "enlisted March S, 1.S65. Mustered out Sept. 30, 1865. 
Vandall, Charles W., Blandinsville. enlisted March 31, 1864. Mustered out Sept. 30, 1865. 

COMPANY L. 

Gieason, William H., Blandin.sville. enlisted Feb. 14, 1865. Mustered out Sept. 30, 1865. 
Martin, George, Prairie City, enlisted Feb. 14, 1865. Mustered out Sept. 30, 1865. 

COMPANY M. 
C.iptain John A. Gray, Bushnell. commissioned July 5, 1864. Time expired Dec. 19, 1864. 

TAYELFTH CAVALRY. 

COMPANY D. 

.'Sergeant Danford Taylor, Prairie City, enlisted Jan. 1, l.'!62. Promoted. 

Arter, William, Colchester, enlisted .Ian. 1, 1802. Rc-enlisted as veteran. 

Blazer, David, Colchester, enlisted Jan. 1, 1,S62. Discharged Oct. 15, lh64 : disability. 

Doran, William, Macomb, enlisted Jan. 1, 1862. Re-enlisted as veteran. 

Lnftis, Benjamin, Macomb, enlisted Mar. 7, 1.S62. Deserted May 10, 1862. 

■\Vhitsel. Henrv, Macomb, enlisted Dec 19, 1861. Deserted May 24, 1862. 

Brj-le, Charles R., Prairie City, enlisted Dec. 10, 1863. 

Murphy, C. R., Prairie City, enlisted Dec. 1,5, 1.S63. Transferred to Co. D, as consolidated. 

Miller, Frank, Prairie City, enlisted June 10. 1862. Transferred to Co. D, as consolidated. 



212 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

COMPANY L. 

Alden, John H., Prairie City, enlisted Nov. 23, 18G3. Transferred to Co. G, as consolidated. 

Poster, James, Macomb, enlisted Dec. 17, 1863. Mustered out Jan. 19, 1806. 

Fonts, John C, Prairie City, enlisted Dec. 23, 1863. 

(iiles, Daniel F., Prairie City, enlisted Dec. 26, 1863. Died at Napoleonville, La. 

Ilinesraan, John C, Prairie City, enlistf<l Nov. 2, 1863. Mustered out May 29, 186G, as sergeant. 

Hughson, Jacob D., Prairie City, eTiIisted Dec. 11, 1863. Mustered out May 29, 1866, as corporal. 

Lipsey, James B., Prairie City, enlisted Dec. 21, 1863. Deserted July 16, 1865. 

Martin, Norton D., Prairie City, enlisted Dec. 12, 1863. 

Morgan, George W., Prairie City, enlisted Nov. 30, 1863. Mustered out Dec. 21, 1865. 

Montrose, Charles, Prairie City," enlisted Nov. 21, 18o3. Mustered out May 29, 1866. 

Nichols, George W., Prairie City, enlisted Dec. 23, 1863. Mustered out May 29, 1866. 

Robb, Francis C, Prairie City, enlisted Dec. 28, 1863. Mustered out May 29, 1866. 

."^app, Calvin A., Prairie City, enlisted Dec. 22, 1863. Discharged June 26, 1864 ; disability. 

Shultz, Josiah M., Prairie City, enlisted Dec. 22, 1863. Mustered out Aug. 28, 1865. 

Tanner, William, Walnut Grove, enlisted Dec. 1, 1863. 

Tainter, David N., Prairie City, enlisted Dec. 3, 1863. 

Thompson, John S., Prairie City, enlisted Dec. 28, 1863. 

Wentzel, Abram, Prairie City, enlisted Dec. 4, 1863. Mustered out May 29, 1866. 

COMPANY M. 

Brassfleld, James, Middletown, enlisted Jan. 4, 186-). Deserted June 16, 1865. 
David, John F., Industry, enlisted Jan. 4, 1864. Mustered out Mar. 30, 1866, as sergeant. 
Mitchell. Theodore, Industry, enlisted Jan. 4, 1864. Died at Napoleonville, La., Aug. 2, 1864. 
Toland, James B., Industry, enlisted Jan. 4, 1864. 

SIXTEENTH CAVALRY. 

COMPANY L. 

Commissary Sergeant James C. Cantield, Prairie City, enlisted Nov. 16, 1862. Died at Richmond, 
Va., Mar. 5, 1864, while a prisoner of war. 

Corporal Joseph Markham, Bushnell, enlisted Mar. 7, 1862. Deserted May 25, 186.3. 

Able, Thomas, Bushnell, enlisted Jan. 13, 1863. Farrier; died in Andersonville prison, July 1,, 
1864 ; No of grave, 2,415. 

Beard, James, Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 8, 1862. Died at Vandalia, of wounds. 

FuPz, Frederick, Bushnell, enlisted Mar. 7, 1862. Prisoner in hospital at Pulaski, Tenn., at mus- 
ter out of regiment. 

Beardsley, Bartemus, Middletown, enlisted Aug. 24, 1863. Mustered out Aug. 19, 1865 ; was pris- 
oner. 

Beliew, Henry H., Bushnell, enlisted July 4, 1863. Died at Eichmond, Va., Mar. 1, 1864, while a 
prisoner of war. 

Cochran, Mahlon B., Middletown, enlisted Aug. 24, 1868. Prisoner; mustered out July 1,1866. 

Howard, Joseph T., Middletown, enlisted Aug. 24, 1862. Prisoner ; mustered out Oct. 19, 1865. 

SIXTEENTH IXFAXTUY. 

ROSTER OF OFFICERS. 

Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Wilson, Colchester, commissioned May 13, 1861. Resigned Sept. 3, '62. 

Lieutenant Colonel James A. Chapman, Macomb, commissioned Oct. 31, 1864. Term expired and 
mustered out, Dec. 31, 1864. 

Quartermaster Thomas J. Coulter, Macomb, commissioned July 24, 1861. Honorably discharged 
Nov. 25, 1863, and transferred to britrade quartermaster. 

Hospital Steward Patrick H. Delany, Macomb, enlisted Dec. 23, 1863, Mustered out June 28, 1865. 

Principal Musi'jian Enoch Welker, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Mustered out June 28, 1865. 

COMPANY A. 

Captain Virgil Y. Ralston, Macomb, commissioned April 26, 1861. Resigned Mar. 13, 1862. 

Captain Benjamin F. I'iniiley, Bnshufll, commissioned Mar. 13, 1862. Resigned July 11, 1862. 

(Captain Etieu White, Hushiicll, commissidiica July 16, 1862. Died of wonnds May 18, 1865. 

Captain Ambrose Updegraff, Mac(iml), comnnssioned July 3, 1865. Mustered out .Inly 8, 1865. 

First Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pinkley, Bushnell, ccimmissioned April 26, 1861, Promoted. 

First Lieutenant Ileury W. Gash, Macmnb, comniissioncd Sei)l. 7, l.st'i3. Term exp'd Dec. 28, '64. 

First Lieutenant John'V. Mason, Bushnell, cominissioiied July :>, 18('i5, Mustered out July 8, '65. 

Second Lieutenant Hiram H. Bartlioldmew. M.iconib, May 3, 1861. Promoted 1st lieutenant. 

First Sergeant Henry W. Gash, Maconili, enlisted May 24, 1861. Promoted 2d lieutenant. 

Sergeant (Jlark C. Morse, Bushnell, enlisted Mav 24, 1861. Transferred to 60tli Illinois Infantry, 
Jan. 1, 1.S64. 

Sergeant John E. Lane, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. 

Sergeant Charles L. Sanders, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Transferred to GOth Illinois Infan- 
try, Jan. 1, 1864. 

(Corporal Joseph M. Gaston, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered 
out July 8, 1S6.'1. 

Corporal Marsh B. Burr, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH (,'OUNTY. 213 

Corporal William H. Boiihain, Macoml). enlisted May 24, 1801. Mustered out June 23, ise-l. 

Corporal .lolm V. Mason, Bushuell, enlisted May '2i, 18(il. Re-enlisled as veteran ; mustered out 
July 8, 18i«. 

(;orporal John C. Bell, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. DischarRed Sept. 24, 1802. 

Corporal William Morrison, Buslinell, enlisted May 24, USUI. Re-enlisted as veteran, promoted 
corporal, and mustered out. 

Corporal James L. llaiuline, Maeomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; di.schargod 
June 30, 18(>5, on account of wounds. 

Corporal William F. Bane. Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; promoted 2d 
lieutenant, ond mustered out. 

Musician P'eiocIi Welker, Macomb, enlisted May 24, ISCil. Recnlisted as veteran ; promoted prin- 
cipal musician. 

Musician Samuel P. Danley, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 18G1. Discharged Dec. Ifi, 1861. 

Adams, Edward A., Bushn'ell, cnlisti'.i May Jl, 1861. 

Allison, Joshua, Bushuell, enlisted May 21, istil. Re-enlisted as veteran ; ra.ustered out July 8, 
1 S(')5. 

Brandon, Calvin K., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. 

Bell, James F., MacoKib, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; musfd out July 8, 18(i.). 

Brooks, Harrison, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Discharged July 9, 1862. 

Chapman, Tliomas B., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. 

Clarke, Benjamin F., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re- enlisted as veteran ; mustered out 
while absent sick. 

Doran, William M., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Discharged Dec. 16, 1861. 

Delauey, Patrick H., Bushnell, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; promoted. 

Ervin, James, Bushnell, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out July 8, '65. 

Fishbourne, Thomas M., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Mustered out July 11, 1S64. 

Forrest, James M., Macomb, enlisted Mav 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; "mustered out July 8. 
1865. 

Franklin, William J., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out 
July 8, 1865. 

Cordon, Harrison, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Transferred to 60th Illinois Inf., Jan. 1, 1864. 

Graham, John M., Macomb, enlisted May 21, 1861. Transferred to 60th, Illinois Infantrv Jan. 1, 1864. 

Grooms, Nathaniel C, Bushnell, enlisted May 24, 1861. 

(fash, Georye B., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Discharged Feb. S, 1862. 

Hainline, Baxter, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-eulisted veteran, mustered out absence on 
furlough. 

Hainline, George L., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Ro-enlisted veteran, killed at Bentonvllle, 
March 20, 186.'>, 

Hainline, William H., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted veteran, promoted, mus- 
tered out July 8. 1865. 

Hampton, Van C, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Transferred to 60th 111. Infantrv, Jan. 1. 1864. 

Hampton, Harrison II., Macomb, enlisted Mav 24, 1861, Transferred to 60th 111. infantry. Ian. 
1, 186^. Died. 

Hart, Henry, Macomb, enlisted May 24. 1861. Died June 2, 1862. 

Hayden, John, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. 

Head, William H., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Mustered out June 23, 1864. 

Hendrickson, James F,, Bushnell, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted veteran, mustered out Julv 
8, 186.5. 

Henderson, Edward F., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Deserted Oct. 24, 1861. 

Hicks, William, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. 

Hook, Cliarlcs, Bushnell, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran, mustered o)U July 8. 186.5. 

Hurley, Edward, Bushnell, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out"july 8, 
1865. 

Kelly, Kdwin D., Bushnell, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran, killed at Jonesboro, 
Sept. 7, 1X64. 

Kendrick. Natlianiel H., Macomb, enlisted Mav 24, 1861. Dischareed Jan. 14, 1862. 

King. William F., Macomb, enlisted Mav 24, 1861. Discharged Aug. 12, 1862. 

Lea, Archibald T , Macomb, enli.sted May 24, 1861. Discharged Julv 21, 1862. 

Logan, William, Bushnell, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out Julv 8 
18(5,5. • ' 

Loucka, Wellington, Bushnell, enlisted May 24, 1861. 

Lane, William, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Discharged June 3, 1862. 

Lane, Cyrus, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-eniisted as veteran; missing since the battle of 
Bentonvllle. 

Matiison, David W., Bushnell, enlisted Mav 24, 1861. Re enlisted as veteran, mustered out 

Morrison, Robert, Bushnell, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisled as veteran, mustered out Julv 8, 
1865. 

Montague, Charles, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Discharged Dec. 16, 1861. 

McCartney. John M., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out July 

■^. 1865. 

Merrick, Charles W.. Indu.stry, enlisted May 24, 1861. 

.McCurdy, Martin, Industry, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out July 8 
1.^65. ' ■ 

Overstrect, William H., Bu.shnell, enlisted Mav 24, 1861. 

Price, Miles, Macomb, enbsied May 24, 1H61. Discharged Atig. 2, 1862. 

Prentice, William H., Bushnell, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; transferred to 1st 
L . S. Engineer N'etenm Volunteer Regiment. 

Rulheruird, Robert A., Macomb, enlisted Mav 24, 1861. Discharged Oct. 15 1862 

Sackett, Charles, Bushnell, enlLsted May 24, 1861. Discharged Nov. 17,1861; sentenced court- 
martial. 

Shannon Aaron, Bushnell, enlisted May 24, 1861. Discharged Julv 29, 1862. 

Slocum, George, Bushnell, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out. 

n— 14 



214 HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGH COUNTY. 

Speake, Richard H., Bushiioll, enlisted May 24,1861. Re-enlisteJ as veteran; discharged June 
10, 1865 : wounded. 

Spear, James T., Ruslinell, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enliited as veteran. 

Speniter, Benjamin, F., Buslinell, enlisted May 24, 1S61. Discliareed Jnly 9, 1862. 

Sperry, Oren, Bushnell, eidisted May 2J, IStU. Re-enlisted as veteran; died May 31, 1864. 

Stainbrook, James H., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out 
Julys, ].sr,a. 

Strenge, cieorge, Bushnell, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out July 
8, 1865. 

Simmons, Fletcher C, Bushnell, enlisted March 24, 1801. Discharged July 29, 1862. 

Shrader. John B., Mticomb, enlisted May 21, 1861. Discharged .luly 29, 1862. 

Taylor, Thomas B., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out July 
8, 1865. 

Taylor, Albert. Bushnell, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out July 8, 
1865. 

Thomas, Lloyd, Jr., Bushnell, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out July 
8. 1865. 

Thomas. Able, Bushnell, enlisted M.iv 24, 1861. Discharged July 9, 1862. 

Thompson, i:ilis, Bushnell. enlisted .May 24, 1861. Transferred to 60th Illinois, Jan. 1, 1864. 

I'pdegratT, Auilirosc, Macomb, eulisicd May 24, 1801. Re-enlisted as veteran ; promoted. 

Waters, Cliarles, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; died April 24, 1865, 
wounded. 

Wheeler, George, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; discharged June 30, 
1865. wounded. 

Wood, Wesley W., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Transferred to Sixtieth Illinois, Jan. 1, 1864. 

William, Benjamin F., MMComb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Discharged Nov. :^0, 1861. 

White, Eben, Bushnell, enlisted Mav 24, 1861. Promoted Q. M. S. and Captain. 

Crowl, John II., Bushnell, enlisted .fan. 28, 1861. Killed at BontonviUe March 20, 1865. 

Campbell, John T., Bushnell, enlisted Feo. 9, 1864. Mustered out. 

("lark, Richard J , Macomb, enlisted Feb. 17, 1804. Mustered out July 8, 1805. 

Ellis, Alvin C, Emmet, enlisted Feb. 4, IStU. Mustered out July 8, 1865. 

Fox, Hugh, Bethel, enlisted Feb. 6, 1801. Transferred from 101st Illinois ; mustered out July 8, 
1865. 

Hastings, George F., Prairie City, enlisted Feb. 5, 1864. Died April 21, 1865, wounds. 

Hamilton, George A., Prairie City, enlisted Feb. 5, 1864. Mustered out July 8, 1865. 

Tliinline. Nathan T., Emmet, enlisted Feb. 4, 1864. Mustered out July 8, 1805. 

Krlley, William, Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 9, 1804. Discharged June 10, 1865. 

Kcndrick, James W., Macomb, enlisted Feb. 20, 1864. Mustered out July 8, 1865. 

iveho, .Miles, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 1, 1862. From 101st Illinois; mustered out July 8, 1865. 

Mrli()n<)ut;li, .lohn W.. Bushnell. eulistcMl Jan. 27, 1864. Mustered out July 8, 1805. 

I'hilliiis, Cliarles .\., Macomb, enlisted Jan. 27, 1804. Mustered out July S, 186.5. 

Ragan, William .M., Emmet, enlisted Feb. 4, 1864. Mustered out July 8, 1865. 

Smitli, Charles W., Jlaconib, enlisted Feb. 2, 1864. Mustered out Julv 8, 1805. 

'Thonnvs, Wintleld S., Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 23, 1861. Mustered out July 8, 1805. 

COMPANY B. 

'Captain David V. Wells, Macomb, commissioned .\pril 20, 1861. Died April 7, 1862. 

First Lieutenant William L. Broaddus, Macomb, commis.sioned April 20, 1861. Promoted to 
•L'aptain. 

First Lieutenant George W. Ray, Macomb, commissioned May 27, 1805. Mustered out July 8, 1865. 

Second Lieutenant .\bram Rowe, Macomb, commissioned April 20, 1861. Promoted captain of 
■com pan v C. 

Second Lieutenant Elnathan K. Westfall, Bushnell, commissioned Oct. 1, 1861. Promoted first 
lieutenant and captain. 

Secoinl Lieutenant James A. Chapman. Macomb, commissioned April 7, 1862. Promoted first 
lieutenant, captain, and lieutenant colonel. 

Second Lieutenant George W. McAllister, Macomb, commissioned June 20, 1862. Promoted first 
lieutenant and captain. 

Second Lieutenant Benjamin Lowe, Macomb, commissioned Jtily 3, 1862. Term expired April 
5, 1805. 

Second Ijieutenant Gilbert W. Parvin, Macomb, commissioned July 4, 1865. Mustered out July 
8. 1S05. 

First .'Sergeant Elnathan K. Westfall, Bushnell, enlisted May 24. 186K Promoted. 

Sergeant Henry Bailey, Macomb, enlisted May 21, isoi. Discharged Mar. 29, 1862. Promoted. 

Sergeant William S. Hendricks, BaiMlolph, enlisted May 21, ISO). 

Sergeant William H. Campbell, Macomb, enlisted .May 24, 1861. Transferred to 60th Illinois Inf., 
Jan. 1,1864. 

Corporal Henry W. McAllister, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Promoted. 

Corporal James A. Chapman, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Promoted. 

Corporal Alexander D. Hail, Macomb, enlisted May, 24, 1801. Transferred to 60th Illinois Inf., 
.Ian. 1, 1864. 

Corporal William H. Walker, Macomb, enlisted May 21, 1861. Transferred to COth Illinois Inf., 
Jan. 1, 1864. 

Corporal James M. Eyre, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1801. Died Sept. 19, 1862. 

Corporal William Powers, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1801. Died Oct. 15, 1802. 

W;igoner Samuel ManhoUand, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1801. Transferred to 00th Illinois Jan. 
1, 1804. 

.VUerd, Jeremiah, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out July 8, 
1805. 

Bates, Edward, JIacomb, enlisted May 24, 1801. Discharged March 29, 1862. 

Buchanan, Robert A.. Macomlj, enlisted May 21, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out 
July 8, 186.5. 

Brink, Thomas, Macomb, enlisted May 21.18;'.1. Transferred to 00th Illinois Jan. 1, 1864. 



HISTORY OF m'donough county. 215 

Dillon, James I.. Macomb, enlisted May 21,18(11. Ile-enlistoil as veteran; mustered out July S, 
isfii; wounds. 
Farrier, Charles I., Industry, enlistedJMay 21, ISiJl. 
(iill, John, Macomb, enlisted May I'l, 1m,"i. 

Hogne, Georse P., Macomb, enlisted Max 21, ISOl. Discharged Oct. 1, ISCil. 
Hammer, William B., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Ke-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out July 

«, ISlif). 

Jellison, James, Jlacomb, enlisted ]\Iay 24, 1861. Discharged March 29, 1862. 

Jones, I'crry C, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Transferred to 60th Illinois ; mustered out July 
2o, 1864. 

Jones, Isaac N., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-eulisted as veteran ; promoted ; mustered out 
July 8. 1865. 

Kipling, Thomas, Colchester, enlisted May 24, 1861. 

Keener, Henry II., Macoml), enlisted May 24, 1861. Transferred to COth Illinois Jan. 1, 1S64. 

Lowe, Benjamin, Macomb, enlisted May 24, ls6l. Pronjoten. 

J.ayton. Henry C, Macomb, enlisted .Nbiy 21, isr.i. Transferred to 60th Illinois Jan 1, 1864. 

Miller, William N., Macomb, enlisted Mav 21, 1861. Ite-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Julv 
8, 1S65. 

McGraw, Thomas, !•'., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Julv 
8, IStif). 

McCampbcll, James I., Industry, enlisted Mav 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out 
July 8, is6r,. 

Pile, William S., Macomb, enlisted May 24. 1861. 

Parr. James. Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mnstered out July 8, 1865. 

Parvin, (Gilbert T., Bardolph, enlisted May 24, 1861. Ke-enlisted as veteran; promoted ; mustered 
■out July 8. 1S6.'). 

Rugh, Joseph, Bnshnell, enlisted May 24, 1861.' Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out July 8, 186."^. 

Ritchey, Simoii, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861, Re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out July S, 
186.5. 

Ray, George W., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; promoted; mustered 
•out July 8, l<s6r). 

Slater, Isaac O., Macomb, enlisted May 21, 1861. Discharged July 9. 1862. 

Smith, John W., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Transferred to 60th Illinois Jan. 1,1864. 

Starr, Oscar P., Macomb, enlisted May 21, 1S61. Discharged Sept. 8, 1S(V2. 

Smithers, Joseph, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out July 8. 
18(5.5. 

Strickler, Robert P., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; musterea out Jalv 
?. 1865. 

Thompson, Julius G., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Discharged April 19, 1862. 

Trnitt, Lafayette, Blandinsville, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; transferred to 
1st r. S. Engineer corps. 

Tordv, James .A.., Macomb, enlisted Mav 24, 1861. 

Walker, William P., Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Discharged May 18, 1862. 

Wolf. John W.. Macomb, enlisted Mav 24, 1861. Transferred to 60th Illinois Inf., Jan. 1, 1864. 

Wovelv, John, Macomb, enlisted May 21, 1861. Transferred to 60th Illinois Inf., Jan. 1, 1864. 

Wet herhold, George, Mac<nnb, enlisted May 24, 1861. Transferred to 60th Illinois Inf., Jan. 1, 1864. 

^'ocum, Sylvester, Macomb, enlisted Mav 24, 1861. Died Mav 4. 1862. 

Campbell," Alex. B., Industry, enlisted Mar. 17, 1864. Mustered out July 8, 1865. 

Dillon, ,\ndrew J., Macomb, enlisted Feb. 8. 1864. Discharged Aug. 16. 1864, wounded. 

(ireen, William C, Macomb, Julv 2, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; killed at Resaca, Ga., May 
15. 186-J. 

Myrick, Myron N.. Bardolph, enlisted June 1, 1861. Discharged Mar. 29, 1862. 

Xebergall, 'Andrew J. C. S., M'lcomb, enli.sted Feb. 9, 1864. Mustered out July 8, 1865. 

Toland, Isaac. .Macomb, enlisted Keb. 10, 1864. Veteran ; died April 12, 1865. 

COMPANY C. 

('apiain (ieorge W Patrick. Colchester, comtnissioned May 14, 1861. Mustered out Sept. 25, 1861. 

("aptain Abraui Rowe, Macomb, commissioned Sept. 2-5. 1861. Term expired Dec. 30, 1864 : 
Avounded. 

First Lieutenant Edwin Moore, Colchester, commissioned July 26, 1861. Promoted Major 21si 
Missouri. 

Kirst Lieutenant lames Donaldson. Colchester, commissioned June 27, 1862. Killed July 17, 1864. 

First Lieutenant Pelatiah Wilson, Bethel, commissioned Doc. 30, 1864. Mustered out July 8, 1865. 

Second Lieutenant lC<lwin Moore, Colchester, commissioned May 14, 1861. Promoted. 

[■"irst Sergeant Ebenezer Rhodes, Colchester, enlisted May 24, 1861. Discharged May 24, 1862. ' 

Sergeant Sylvester C. liilbert. Bethel, enlisted May 24, 1861. Discharged Nov. 30, 1861. 

Sergeant James Donaldson, Colchester, enlisted May 24. 1861. Promoted. 

SergeaTit .\ndrew J. Duncan, Bethel, enlisted May 24, 1861. Discharged July 19, 1S62. 

Sergeant Pelatiah Wilson, Bethel, etdisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as vfiteran ; promoted. 

Corporal James M. Johnson, Bethel, enlisted May 24, 1861. Transferred to 60th Illinois, Jan. 
1. 1S64. 

Corporal John P. Humbert. Colchester, enlisted May 24, 1861. Discharged March 1, 1862. 

Corporal Edward Wilson, Colchester, enlisted May 24, 1861. Transferred to COth Illinois, Jan. 
I. 1864. 

Corporal Richard Bctston, Colchester, enlisted May 24, 1861. 

Corporal Don. C. Salisbury, Colchester, enlisted May 24, 1861. Transferred to 60th Illinois, Jan. 
1. l-MVl. 

Corporal Richard Ilobert, Colchester, enlisted May 24, 1861. Transferred to 60th Illinois, Jan. 1 . 
I8r,4. 

i'orporal William Wilson, Middletown, enlisted Mav 24, 1861. Discharged Sept. 26, 1862. 

Fifcr, William S. Johnson, Bethel, enlisted May 24, 1861. Discharged July 8. 1865. 

Wagoner, Isaac Allohire, Colchester, enlisted May 24lh, 1861. Re-eulisted as veteran; mustere<i 
out July s, 186.5. 



216 HISTcniY OF I\l"iM).NOU(iH COUNTY. 

Rarnett. James. CoU-hester, enlisted May 21. l.SGI. Transferred to GOth, III. Jan. 1, 1804. 

Bariiett, ICdward, Rf>tlu'l, enlisled May 24, IMil. Ke-eiilisted veteran, discharged July, ^, 1805. 

Dalton, James, Oolehester, enli.sted May 24, 18G1. Di^t^harged Oct. 1, ISGl. 

Frit/!, (Uiarles S., Colchester, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran, Transferred to 1st l' . 
S. E. V. V. 

Hendricks, Beniamin, Bethel, enlisted Mav 24, 18GI. Died March 1, 18C2. 

Johnson. Alexander M., Bethel, eiili.sted Jlay 24, 18G1. 

Lane, Wilson, Colchester, enlisted May 24, IWU. Transferred to 00th 111. Jan. 1, ISOt. 

Leary, Patrick J., Colchester, enlisted May 24, 18G1. Re-ei.listed as veteran, mustered out Julv 
8, 1865. 

McGrew, GeorRe W., Bethel, enlisted Mav 24, 1801. Transferred to 60th 111. Jan. 8, 1864. 

Newland, Frederick, Colchester, enlisted May 24, 18G1. Transferred to COth 111. Jan. 8, 1864. 

Smithwait, John, Colchester, enlisted May 24. 1861. Died Jan. 7, 18G2. 

Thorp, James, Colchester, enlisted May 24, 18G1. Re-cnlisted as veteran, mustered out July 8, 
1805. 

Taylor, John, Colchester, enlisted May 24, 1861. Discharged July 25, 1861, sentenced by court 
martial. 

Taylor, Richard, Colchester, enlist.-d May 24, 1861. Deserted Oct. 12, 1861. 

Tones, Walker, Colchester, enlisted May 24, 1861. Discharged July 25, 18G1, sentenced by court 
martial. 

Tuitle, Charles G., Colchester, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out July 
8, 1865. 

Turner, Henry, Colchester, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out July, 8, 
180.5. 

Watts, Hiram, Colchester, enlisted May 24, 1801. 

Young, Robert, Colchester, enlisted, May 24, 1801. Re-enlisted as veteran ; promoted ; mustered, 
out July 8, 1805. 

Barrett, Samuel D., Colchester, enlisted Feb, 4, 1SG4. Mustered out July 8, 1865. 

Brundage, Daniel, Colchester, enlisted Feb. 4. 1804. Mustered out July 8, 1865. 

HM^bie, Thomas, Colchester, enlisted Feb. 4, 1864. Mustered out July 8, 1865. 

Ilobart, Lewis, (Colchester, enlisted Aug. 13, 1861. Discharged Aug. 13, 1864. 

Lane, William B., Cochester, enlisted Dee. 9, 1801. Discharged Aug. 10, 1862. 

Nntall, William, Colchester, June 2, 1801. Disc]iarge<l Feb. 2, 1862. 

Scott, John, Macomb, Dec. 9, 1801. Discharged Nov. 25, 1802. 

Slater, Thomas, Colchester, Feb. 15, 1804. Mustered out July 8, 1865. 

COMPANY D. 

Carter, Smith W., Blandinsvllle, enlisted May 24, 1861. Discharged June 24, 18G1. 
Webster, Elezar, Prairie City, May 24, 1861. 

COMPANY G. 

Cannon, William, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1801. Re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out July s. 
1805. 

Currier, Elon, Prairie City, enlisted May 24, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out July 8, 
1855. 

Lester, Cyrus, Macomb, enlisted May 24, 1861, Re-enlisted as veteran ; deserted June 3, 1864. 

Wyatt, Stirauel, Industry, enlisted May 24, 1801. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out July S, 
1805. 

Burson, Jessie A., Macomb, enlisted Feb. 18, 1864. Mustered out July 8, 1865. 

Newell, Jacob, Macomb, enlisted Feb. 18, 1864. Died March 7, 1864. 

Pontious. David, New Siilem, enlisted Mar. 9, 1864. Mustered out July 8, 1865. 

Steel, William, NewSalem, enlisted Mar. 9, 1864. Mustered out July 8, 186.5. 

Swariz, Benjamin, Macomb, enlisted Feb. 18, 1864. Mustered out July 8, 1865. 

COMPANY I 

Frceland, Snyder, Colchester, May 11. 1801. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out July 8, 1805, 
as sergeant 
Kunkle, Joseph, Industry, enlisted Feb. 16, 1864. Mustered out J\dy 8, 1805. 

COMPANY K, 

Corev, Silas G., New Salem, enlisted Mav 24. 1801. Transferred to 00th llliiu)is Infantry. 
Cooiier, John M., New Salem, enlisted May 24, 1801. Transferred to 00th Illinois Infantry. 
Johnson, Thomas J., New Salciw. enlisteii May 24, 1801. Discliart'ed May 20, 1862. 
Kigtiey, John H., New Salem, enlisted May 24, 1801. Discharged Nov. 7, 1861. 
Tipton, James, New Salem, enlisted May 24, 1861. 

Conley, John, New Salem, enlisted May 24, 1861. Reeulisted as veteran ; mustered out July >■', 
]8G5, as corporal. 
VanSlyke, Daniel, New Salem, enlisted May 24, 1861. Discharged April 23, 1862. 
Maxwell, John C'., Industry, eidistcd Mar. 9, 1804. 
Veal, John S., Hire Township, enlisted Slar. 22, 1^C4. Rejected. 

SEVENTEENTH INFANTRY. 

COMPANY C. 

T:ouglas, Koyal, Prairie City, enlisted May 25, 1861. Di3cliurged May 11, 1802 ; corjioral. 
Uendryx, William, Prairie City, enlisted May 23, 1861. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 217 

Miirry. William, rrniric City, enlisted May •.>,■>, ISfil. Died Oct. :^1, IStJl. 
■SaufoVd, Svlvester, I'rairie Citv. enlisted ilay 2.j, 18G1. 
Still, K. I)." I'rairie Cily, enlisted May •2S\ 1801. 
Demitz, Earnest, I'rairie City, enlisted May 25, 1S61. 

EIGHTEENTH INFANTRY. 

COMPANY F. 

■Corporal Cicorge I'. Norton, Macomb, enlisted Feb. 21, 1865. Mtistered ont Dec. 16, 1.S65. 
Musician Kdward 1'. Vail, Emmet, enlisted Feb. 20, 18ti5. Mustered out Dec. IG, 18i;5. 
MeClure, .lames 1'., Macomb, enlisted Feb. 22, 1805. Mustered out Dec. 1(>, 186.5, as corporal. 
\Vag5j;le, Jasi)er S., Bethel, enlisted Feb. 21, 18G5. Absent sick at muster out. 

COMPANY I. 

Corporal William L. Brooks. New Salem, enlisted Mar. 1, 1865. Mustered out Dec. 10, 1805. 
■Corporal .fames N. Tedron, New Salem, enlisted Mar. 1, 1865. Mustered out Dec. 16, 1865. 
Daniels, Daniel L., New Salem, enlistad Mar. 7, 1865. Mustered out Sept. 4, 1865. 
Ellis, Isaac W.. New Salem, enlisted Mar. 8, 1865, Mustered out Dec. 16, 1865. 
Ervin, lames D., New Salem, enlisted Mar. 9, 1865. Died at Little Rock, May 9, 186.5. 
Hubbard, William, New Salem, enlisted Mar. 8, 1865. Mustered out Dec. 16, 1865. 
Hall, Edward, New .Salem, enlisted Mar. 15, 1865. Mustered out June 16, 1865. 
Johnson, George M., New Salem, enlisted Mar. 1, 1865. Deserted Sept. 27, 186.5. 
Messick, David 11., New Salem, enlisted Mar. 8, 1865. Died at Memphis, April 10, 1865. 
Snyder, Alvin A.. Tennessee, enlisted Mar. 7, 1865. Mustered out Dec. 16, 1865. 
Tedron, M., New Salem, enlisted Feb. 27, 1865. Mustered out Mav 11, 186^. 
■Woods, William II., New Salem, enlisted Mar. 15, 1865. Died at (.-amp Butler, Mar. 21, 1865. 

TWENTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY. 

ROSTER OF OFFICERS. 

Lieutenant Colonel Louis n. Waters, Macomb, commissioned Aug. 22, 1801. Resigned Jan. 10, 
1S02 ; disability. Re-enlisted in service as Colonel 84th. 
Ouartermaster Hugh Ervin. Macomb, commissioned Aug. 27, 1861. Resigned Jan. 31, 1862. 
(.iuarternmster Arthur G. Burr, Macomb, commissioned Feb. 1, 1862. Promoted by the President, 
(quartermaster Richard Lawrence, commissioned Sept. 1, 1863. Mustered out Oct. 8, 1864. 
Surgeon John Kemper, Industry, ccmimissioned July 26, 1864. Mustered out March 15, 1866. 
Sergeant Major Charles E. Waters, Macomb. Promoted Sergeant Major. 
Ho.spital Steward Robert R. C. Danley, Macomb, 
Ho.spital Steward Albert Ci. Sullivan," Macomb. 

COMPANY D. 

Captain (JIadden L. Farwell, Macomb, commissioned Aug. 27, 1861. Term expired in 1864. 

First Lievitemmt John B. Pearson, Macomb, commi.ssioned Feb. 1, 1862. Transferred to Co. D ; 
•consolidated ; mustered out July 12, 1865. 

Second Lieutenant Charles Conover. Macomb, commissioned Feb. 1. 1862. Resigned Dec. 3, 1862. 

Second Lieutenant Andrew W. McGoughy, Industry, commissioned Dec. 3, 1862. Killed July 10, 
18(>4. 

Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Miller, Industry, commissioned Aug 23, 1865. Promoted ; mustered 
•out March 15, 1806. 

Second Lieutenant Henry H. Henderson, Scotland, commissioned Dec. 16, 1865. Mustered out 
March 15, 1866. 

.Sergeant Robert Pearson. Colchester, enlisted Aug. 10,1861. Killed at Shiloh, Tenn., April 6, 1862. 

Corporal Ezra V. Sayer, Macomb, enlisted Aug. Hi, 18("il . Discharged Aug, 20, 1,h04 ; term expiied. 

Corporal Joseph T. Wa'.ker, Industrv, enlisted Aug. 10, 1801. Discharged Aug. 20, 1864 ; term ex- 
pired. 

Corporal .loseph Gill, Scotland, enlisted Aug. 10. 1861. Killed at Shiloh. Tenn., April 6, 1862. 

Corporal Solomon Foster, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 10. 1861. Discharged May 28, 1862 ; disability. 

Corporal Elijah Patrick. Scotland, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran. 

Musician Robert 1). C. Danley, Bethel, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Promoted Hospital Steward. 

Anderson, John E., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 10, 1801. Mustered out Aug. 20, 1804. 

Bloss, William, Blandiiisville, enlisted Aug, lu, 1861. Wounded ; transferred to Invalids' Corps, 
■Oct. 21, 1803. 

Blackford, Isaac, Bushnell, cidisted Aug. 10. 1861. Discharged Aug. 26, 1864 : term expired. 

Brant, Abraham, Industry, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861, Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out March 
15. 1866. 

Courtright, Van. IL, Hire, enlisted Aug. 10, l.'-61. Discharged Aug. 26, 1864; term expired; 
•wounded. 

Corman, William, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; on furlough at mus- 
ter out. 

Daw.son. Richard, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 10, 1801. Discharged June 18. 1862; disability. 

Freeland, Francis, Hire, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Discharged Aug. 26, 1804; term' expired ; 
wounded. 

Freeland, Napoleon B., Hire, enlisted Aug. 10, 1801. Re-enlisted as veteran ; transferred to Co, 
E.; mustered out March 15, 1805. 



218 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Freeth, George W., iracomb, enlisted March 10, ISGl. 

Faulkner, Thomas, Macomb, enlisted March 10, ItiOl. Wounded at Shiloh ; killed at Jackson , 
Miss., July 12, KSO.i. 

Gill, Josiah. Scotland, enlisted March 10, 1861. Pied at Natchez, Miss., Oct. 12, ISC'?. 

(iordon, John, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Ke-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out March 1,")^ 
1866. 

Hardesty, William, Emmet, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Died at Natchez. Miss., Sept. 1, 1863. 

Hobart, Edwin L., Colchester, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; transferred to- 
colored regiment. 

Hillyor, Lambert, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Discharged Aug. 26, 1864; term expired. 

Hillyer. IsiuicC, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Discharged Nov. 10, 1862 ; wounded. 

Hawk, Samuel, Emmet, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out March lo,. 
1866. 

Hoyt, Lucian, Chalmers, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Discharged June 17, 1862; wounded. 

Keller, William, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Wounded at Hatchie ; discharged March 6. 
1862. 

Long, Albert, Emmet, enlisted Aug. 10. 1861. Re-enlisteii as veteran ; mustered out March 1.5. 
1866. 

Laughlin, John W., Industry, enlisted Ang. 10, 1801. Discharged Aug. 26, 1861 ; term expired. 

Mathenv. William H., Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; died at Natchez, 
March 10, 1S64. 

Menzics, Walter, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Ditcharged Aug. 26, 1861, term expired. 

Metts, Clinton, Emmet, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Deserted April 6, 1862. 

Milligan, Albert, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Killed at Shiloh, April 6, 1862. 

McGee, Samuel R., Tennessee, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Mar. 
35, 1866, wounded. 

Nichols, Seymore, Scotland, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Wounded ut Hatchie, Oct. 5, 1862; died oX 
wounds. 

Penrose, Henry W., Scotland, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Died at Memphis, Aug. .5, 1862. 

Pierce, Frank, Scotland, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Di.scharged Aug. 26, 1864 : term expired. 

Russell, Josephus T., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Discharged Aug. 26, 1864 ; term expired ;. 
wounds. 

Smithers, Thomas J., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Discharged Mar. 2.5, 1862; disability. 

Simmons. Rowen L., Emmet, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Re-eulisted as veteran ; wounded at Span- 
ish Fort. 

Sharp, Samuel, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 10, 18i"il. Discharged Aug. 26, 1864; term expired; wounds. 

Shepherd Solomon R., Bethel, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Killed at Shiloh, April 6, 1862. 

Penro.se, John F., Scotland, enlisted Aug. 10, l.sCil. Discharged Aug. 26, 1864 ; term expired. 

Spencer, Richard, Chalmers, enlisted .Vug. 10, 1861. Discharged Aug. 26, 1864; term expired. 

Smith, .lohn, Scotland, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Discharged Aug. 26, 1864 ; term expired. 

Teas, George H., Hire, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Killed at .shiloh, April 6, 1862 

Twitchell, William, Emmet, enlisted Aug. 10, l.stil. Missing since the battle of Shiloh. 

Welch, Azro B., Hire, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Discharged May 2.5, 1862; di.sability. 

AVelch, James M., Hire, enlisted Aug. 10, 1S61. Killeil at Sliiloh, April 6, 1862 ; corjioral. 

Wayland, Elijah Q. A., Chalmers, enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Transterred to Invalids corps, Oct. 22,. 
1863 ; wounds. 

Warren, Francis L., Hire, enlisted Aug. 10. 1861. Died at Pittsburg Landing, April 1.5, 1862. 

Welch, Sylvester B., Hire, enlisted Dec. 21, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; must'd out Mar. 15, 1866i. 

Carter, James L., Macomb, enlisted June 25, 1864. Died at Brownsville. Texas, Nov. 25, 1865. 

Gordon, James A., Macomb, enlisted Feb. 12, 1864. Mustered out Mar. 1-5, 1866. 

Heath, E. A., Industry, cnlistcil June 25, 1864. On furlough on muster out of regiment. 

Kearns, Marion, Bnsliiiell, enlisted June 25. 1864. Mustered out Mar. 15, 1866. 

Plotts, Joseph C., B\isiiiicll, enlisted .Vug. .5, 1861. Died at Fort Holt, Ky., Nov. 22, 1862. 

Broaddus, Edward L., Wal.iut Grove, enlisted Feb. 28, 1S65. Mustered out Feb. 28, 1866. 

Gordon, Benjamin F., Walnut Grovs, enlisted Feb. 28, 1865. Clustered out Feb. 28, 1866. 

Jellison, Zimri, Walnut Grove, enlisted Feb. 28, 1865. Mustered out Feb. 28, 1866. 

Keller, Joseph, Macomb, enlisted June 5, 1864. Discharged to enlist in 1st U. S. artillery. 

COMPANIES A AND B, DRAFTED AND .SUBSTITUTES, 

Patrick, John R., New .Salem, Oct. 25, 1864. Mustered out Oct. 24, 186.5. 
Brothers, Albert, Kldorado, Oct. 8, 1864. Mustered out Oct. 7, 1865. 
Seward, John A., Eldorado, Oct. 8, 1861. Mustered out June 20, 1865, 
Taylor, Henry L., Eldorado, Oct. 8, 1864. Mustered out Oct. 7, 186,5. 

COMPANY K. 

First Sergeant Ellis S. Stokes, New Salem, enlisted March 14, 1865. Mustered out March 14, 1866. 
Corp)oral Thomas W. Blackston, Lamoine, enlisted March 14, 1865. Mustered out March 14, 1866. 
(-orporal Josiph A. Thornburg, Lamoine, enlisted March 14, 1865. Mustered out March 14, 1866. 
Barker, James, Walnut (irove, enlisted March 9, 1865. Mustered out March 25, 1865. 
Davis, James R,, Lamoine, enlisted March 14, 1865. Died at Brownsville, Texas, Aug. 30, IS/V). 
Edmunson, William 1)., Lamoine, enlisted March 11, 1865. Mustered out March 14, 1866. 
Nergeman, Henry, New Salem, enlisted .March 14, 1.S65. Mustered out March 14, 1.S66. 
Nichols, Alvinus W.. New Salem, enli.■^Icd Maich 14, 1S65. Mustered out March 14, 1S66. 
Phillips, Martin, Lamoine. enlisted Marcli 14, l.S(i5. Died at Brownsville, Texas, Nov. li, H6.5, 
Scott, Theo.lore H., Mound, enlisted March 14, 1865. Mustered out.M arch 14, 1866. 
White, Marcus. Lamoine, enlisted March 14, 1S65. Mustered out March 14. 1866. 
Y'oung, Ralph J., Lamoine, enlisted March 11, 1865. Mustered out March 14, 1S66. 



HISTORY OF M'DONOU(iH COUNTY. 219 

THIRTIETH INFANTRY. 

COMPANY B. 

Wagoner, Jacob, Mot nl, enlisted Oct. fi, 1S64: m istered out. July 17, 186.5. 
Wheeler, lieiijaniin 1- ., Kuimet, enlisted Oct. Ci, l-(64; mustered out July 17, l.Sfl.'. 

FIFTIETH INFANTRY. 

COMP.\NY J). 

McManigle, William R., Bushnell. enlisted Sept. 18, ISfil; mastered out .Sept. 27, 1S>4, as serg't. 
Willis, John J., Bushnell, enli.sted Oct. 4, 1861; discharged Aug. 16, lJ-62. 

COMPANY F. 

Clarke, Thaddcus .'^., Macoinl', enlisted Oct. 1, 1861; discharged April 21, 1862: disability. 

COMPANY G. 

Evans, William II., Bushnell, enlisted Sept. 10, 1S61; re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out Julv 

13, 1865. 

Ewalt, Nicholas, Bushnell. enlisted Oct. 18, 1861; mustered out Oct. 7, 1864, term expired. 
McManimie, Winchester, Bushnell. enlisted Oct. 1, 1861; mustered out Sept. 27, 1864. 
McManimie, Marion A., Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 6, 1861; mustered out Oct. 7, 1864. 
Myers, Noah, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 12, 1861; discharged June 21, 1862 ; disability. 
l'orl<ey, Daniel, Tennessee, enlisted Oct. 17, 1861; mustered out Oct. 19, 1864. 
Ather'ton, Finley B , Macomb, enlisted Feb. 22, 1864; mustered out July 13, 186.5. 
Strode, Jessie B., Macomb, enlisted Feb. 22, 1864; mustered out July IS, 1865 ; promoted. 

FIFTY-FIFTH INFANTRY. 

ROSTER OF OFFICERS. 

Lieutenant Colonel Milton L. Haney, Bushnell, commissioned July 3, 1864 ; mustered out Dec. 2, 
im;4. 
Major Oiles F. Hand. Prairie City, commissioned July 12, 1865; mustered out August 14, 1865. 
Chajjlain Miiton L. Haney, Bushnell, commissioned October 31, 1861; promoted. 

COMPANY F. 

('aptain Milton L. Haney. Bushnell, commissioned October 31, 1861; i)roraoted. 

First Lieutenani Joshua R. Benton, Bushnell, commissioned Oct. 31, 1863; commission declined 
and caucellc(l. 

First Lieutenant David N. Holmes, Bushnell, commissioned May 19, 1865; mustered out Aug. 
1 1, 1865. 

Second Lieutenant Joseph W. Parks, Bushnell, commissioned October 31, 1861; promoted First 
Lieutenant; mustered out Nov. 26, 1862. 

Second Lieutenant Jolm B. Johnson, Prairie City, commissioned March 8, 1862; resigned Sept. 
3, 1,S62, 

First Sergeant James M. Shreeves, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 11, 1861; died at Vicksburg, Aug. 
19, 186;?. 

Sergeant George Sanford, Prairie City, enlisted Oct. 7, 1861. 

(.'orporal (ieorge H. Rogers, Prairie c'itv, enlisted Oct. 7, 1861. 

Corporal David M. Crambaugh, Bushnell, enlisted October 7, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; died 
April 14, 186.\ of wounds. 

Corporal Giles F. Hand, Prairie City, enlisted October 7, 1861; promoted First Lieutenant, Cap- 
tain and Ma.ior. 

Musician David J. Matheny, Prairie City, enlisted Oct. 7, 1861; mustered out Oct 31, 1864. 

Brady, Archibald C, Prairie Citv, enlisted Octobers, 1861. 

Booth, William, Prairie City, enlisted Oct. 10, 1861; mustered out Oct. 31. 1864. 

Benton, Joshua, Prairie City, enlisted Oct. 4, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out Aug. 

14, 186.5 

Bane, George, Prairie City, enlisted Oct. 11, 1861; killed on picket, July 14, 1863. 

Carnes, William H., Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 8, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out .\ug. 14. 
18('>5, sergeant. 

Carries, John, Prairie City, enlisledOct.il, 1861; re-eniisted asveternn; mustered out Aug. U, 
1865; wounds. 

Crowl, William A , Bushnell, enlisted Oct.ll, 1861. 

Crowl, George P., Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 12, 1861; discharged. 

Dewey, John C, Prairie City, enlisted Oct. 7, 1861; discharged Jan. 28, 1863, dis-ability. 

Dewey, Kdwin, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 12, 1861; re-enlistcd as veteran ; mustered out Aug. 14, 
1865, wounds. 

Dunlap, LeGrand, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 21. 1861. 

Davis, Lloyd P., Prairie ("itv, enlisted Oct. 11, isi'.l. 

Eads, John, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 11. 1861: dichargcd Jan. 28, 1863. disability . 



220 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

Ewing. Joseph n , Bushnoll, enlisted Get. 21, 18G1; imistered out Oct. 21, 1864. 

Fowraker, George \V., Prairie City, enlisted Oct. 21, 1.S61; died at Walnut Hills, Miss., June 2S, 
18r,3. 

Foster, Channing B., Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 7, 18G1. 

Fugato, Robert -M., Bushnell. enlisted Oct. 3, ISfil; died at Memphis, Jan. 14, 18G1. 

Fleharty. John N., Bushnell, enlisted ()<;t. 8. 18(U. 

Holmes, David, X., Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 7, 1861; re-enlisted a,s veteran ; promoted to First 
Lieutenant. 

Hartsook, i^aniel, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 7, IStil; transferred to Invalids corps, Sept. 22, 1863. 

Hensley, Samuel H., Bushnell, enlisted Oct. Oct. 4, 1861; transferred to Co. O., deserted Dec. 20, 
1862. 

Hendricks, James, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 7, 1861. 

Hartsook, .loscph, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 11, 1861; promoted Sergeant Major. 

Hartman, Aaron V., Bushnell, enlisted (M. 11, 1861. 

Hutchins, (ieorge \V., Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 11, 1861: wounded at Shiloh, April 6, 1862. 

Hoyt, Oliver J., Prairie City, enlisted Oct. 12, 1861; killed at Vicksburg, May 19, 186:5. 

Iniiian, Jessie N., Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 5, 1861; died at Memphis, Sept. 27, 1862. 

.lones, Samuel, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 7, 1861; mustered out Oct. 3\, 1864. 

Jameson, Robert S., Prairie City, enlisted Oct. 7, 1861; mustered out Oct. 151, 1864. 

Johnson, John A., Prairie Citv, "enlisted Oct. 11, 1861; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. May 
21. 1864. 

Long, Samuel, Prairie Citv, enlisted Oct. 11, 1861; rc-enlisted as Veteran ; discharged March 
23. 186.=>; disability. 

Long, George \V., Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 11, 1861. 

Lybarger, Milton C, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 3, lidl; mustered out Oct. :51, 1861. 

Mead, Alfred, Prairie City, enlisted Oct. 7, 1861; mustered out Oct. 31. 1864. 

Medaris, Joseph B., Bushnell. enlisted Oct. 7, 1861: died at Bushnell, 111., May 2, 1861. 

Maxwell, William J.. Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 7, 1861. 

Medaris, John C, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. li, 1S61. 

Miller, George S., Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 10, 1861; re-enlisted veteran ; mustered out Aug. 15, 
186.5, corporal. 

Miller, Jacob C, Bushnell, enlisted Oct, 12, 1861; mustered out Oct., 31, 1864. 

McComb, Matthew, Prairie City, enlisted October 7, 1861; died at Biidgeport, 111. Dec. 25, 1863. 

Moore, Albertson, Prairie City, enlisted Oct. 11, 1861; discharged Jan. 28, 1863; wounds. 

McDonald, James, Bushnell, enlisted Oetober 12, 1861: discharged. 

Newkirk, George W,. Bushnell, enlisted October 8, 1861; mustered out October 31, 1864. 

Powers, John, Bushnell. enlisted October 10, 1861; mustered out October 31, 1864. 

Putnam, Joseph P, Bushnell, enlisted October 7, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; mortally wounded 
at Kenesaw Mountain and left on the field, June 27, 1><64. 

Putnam, John M., Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 7, 1861; discharged. 

Patterson, Robert S., Prairie City, enlisted Oct. 11, 1861. 

Pennington, Jacob A., Bushnell. enlisted Oct. 11, 1861; discharged Jan. 28, 1863; disability. 

Potinger. Samuel W., Bushnell. enlisted Oct. 21, 1861; transferred to company G; mustered out 
Aug. 14, 18(i-'i. 

Penneil, George W., Bushnell. enlisted Oct. 16, 1861. 

Rogers, Lewis B., Prairie City, enlisted October 7, 1861; discharged Feb. 11, 1863; disability. 

Reed, Amenzo, Prairie City," enlisted Oct. 11, 1861; mustered cnit October 31, 1864. 

Rickman, Moses B, Prairie City, enlisted Oct. 19, 1861; transferred to company K, Nov. 14, 1861. 

Sanford Jacob, Prairie City, enlisted Oct. 7, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; promoted. 

Sanford Amos, Prairie Citv, enlisted Oct. 10, 1861; promoted in 12th Louisiana volunteers, 
Oct. , 1863. 

Sanford, Ebenezer, Prairie Citv, Oct. 11, 1861: mustered out Oct. .31, 1864. 

Snapp, William, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 7, 1861; died at Camp Sherman, Miss., Aug. 29, 1863. 

Sperling, Lewis W., Bushnell, enlisted Oct. :!, 1861; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps May 
1, 1864. 

Svvearingen, Bennett, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 12, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out 
Aug. 14, 1855; sergeant. 

Shannon, Alvin, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 3, 1861. 

Sperling, Theodore, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 11, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out Aug. 
14, 1865; sergeant. 

Tatman, Kdmond, Bushnell, enlisted October 7, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out 
Aug 14, 18iV). 

Thompson, Thomas E, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 7, 1861; mustered out March 26, 1865. 

Teithworth, Oliver P., Bu.shnell, enlisted Oct. 12, 1861. 

Wetsel, Daniel W., Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 5, 1861; mustered out Oct. 31, 1864. 

Wetsel, Ahaz B., Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 12, 1861; mustered out Oct. 31, 1864 as corporal. 

Wingct, Louis, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 6, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out Aug. 14, 
1865. corporal. 

Wycott; Daniel L., Bu.shnell, enlisted Oct. 11, 1861; discharged by order General Grant. 

Winters, Avigustus, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 11, 1861. 

Wilson, J O., Bushufll, enlisted Oct. 8, 1861. 

King, Lyman B., Prairie City, enlisted Dec. 1, 1861. 

Miller, .John W., Prairie City. Mustered out Aug. 14. 1865, as corporal. 

O.sborn, John, Bushnell, enlisted Nov. 2T, 1861; mustered out Dec. 30, 1864. 

Pattison, W. S., Bushnell. Died Jan. 22, 1862. 

Perdue, Dallas, Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 24, 1864; mustere<l out .\ng. 14, 1865. 

Smith, Kellogg J., Prairie City, enlisted Nov. 26, 1861. 

COMPANY (J. 

Sergeant Thomas R. Scott, Bushnell, enlisted Sept. 25, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran ; discharged 
June 14, 1865; disabilitv. 

Sergeant H. H. Weaver, Bushnell. enlisted Sept. 25, 1861; died at St. Louis, April 8, 1863. 

Corporal James B. Murphy, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 24, 1861; killed at Walnut Hills, June 25, 
1863. 



IIISTOKV OV .M'jX).\()U(iII cor.NTV. 221 

Corporal William J. Kckley, nushiioll. enlisted Sept. 25, 1801; rc-enli.sted as veteran : dierl Aiiff. 
15, IkCl : woiiiRls. 

Corporal Steven R, Hell, Bushnell, enlisted Sept. L'o, 1801: mustered out Oct. ;^1, 1864. 

Avers, M. L., Bushnell, enlisted Sept. 2.5. 1801. 

Hall, Harrison, 15ushn*'ll, enlisteil Oct. IS, ISOl; re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out .\ug. It. 
1805. 

Briggs, W. A., Bushnell, enlisted Oet. 16,1861; re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out Aug. M. 
1805. 

Baldwin, William G., Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 16, 1861; transferred to Invalid Corps Jan. 22, 180-1. 

Cadwallader, M. A., Bushnell, e-ilistcd Oct. 25, 1861; mustered out Oct. :;i, 1864. as corporal. 

Coggswell, L. S., Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 2;^, 1861; ro-enlisted as veteran; mustered out Aug. 14, 
1805, as corporal. 

Kmery, ,1. R., Ru«hnell, enlisted Oct. 4, 1864; re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Aug. 14. 1865. 

Ervin, E. P., Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 8. 1861; re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Oct. 14, 1865, 
as corporal. 

Ecklev, (ieorge W., Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 2:^, 1861: died at Camp Sherman, Miss., Aug. S, 186:!. 

Karlcy, William L.. Bushnell, enlisted Oct. '.), ISOl: discharged Aug. 1, 1S0:J. 

Ecklev, Jnmes A., Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 2:^, 1801; mustered out Oct. :i\. 1804. 

ritzimmons, Thomas, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 18, 1861: repoited as deserter . I uly, 180:5. 

Gray, James W., Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 5,1861; re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out Aug. 14, 
1805; wounded. 

(iillespie. James W'., Bushnell. enlisted Sept. 25, 1861. 

Hogue, James B.. Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 14, 1861; re-enlisted as a veteran; miistered out Aug. 
14. 1805. 

Hogue. William P.. Bushnell, enli.sted Oct. 14, 1861. 

Hiner, Joseph C. Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 23, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out Aug. 
14. 186,5. 

Jackson, George W, Bushnell, enlisted Sept. 25, 1861: re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out Aug. 
14, 180,5. 

Lovelace, J. W.. Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 18, 1861 

.McKaig, R. B., Bushnell. enlisted Oc't. 18, 1801. 

Mills, David M., Bushnell, enlisted Sept. 25, 1801. 

McQeeen, II. B., Bushnell. enlisted Sept. 14, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out Aug. 
14, 1,865. 

Mvcrs, John 11., Bu.shnell, enlisted Sept. 25, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out Aug. 
14, 18(;,5. 

Ogle<by. Joseph, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 12: mustered out Oct. HI, 1864. 

Smith, W. X., Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 7, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out Aug. 14, 1865. 

Sexton, John, Bu.shnell, enlisted Oct. 4, 1861; died at Camp Sherman, Miss., Aug. .31, 1863. 

Williams. Andrew, Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 18, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; aischarged Aug. 2. 
1.S64; disability. 

Drake, D. N., Bushnell. enlisted Nov. ,8. 1861: discharged Dec. 31, 1.864; term expired. 

Moorev, Harvev C. Bushnell, enlisted Nov. 7, 1863; mustered out Aug. 14, 1865. 

llen.sley, Samuel F., Bushnell, enlisted Oct. 4, 1861; deserted Sept., 1802. 

COMPANY H. 

Downen. .hihn, Industrv, enlisted Nov. 6, 1861; mustered out Oct. 31, 1804, as corporal. 

Ford, William, In<lustry, enlisted Nov. 21, l.SOl. 

Kennedy. lolm. Industry, enlisted Nov. 28, 1861. 

^Merrick. John. Industry, enlisted Nov. 5, 1861; mustered out Oct. 31, 18()4. as corporal. 

Randolph. William, Industry, Nov. 6; mustered out Aug. 1, 186.5. 

COMPANY K. 

Cox. Robert M.. Prairie City, enlisted Oct. 22, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran: mustered out Aug. 
4, I8<)5, as corporal. 

FIFTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY. 

COMPANY I. 

First Lieutenant Martin Hoagland, Bardolph, commis.sioned Julv 1. 1805; mustered out July "• 
1865. 

Second Lieutenant William S. Hendricks, Bardolph, commissioned Dec. 26, 1861: resigned Feb. 
13, 1803. 

Second Lieutenant John T. Parvin, Bardolph, commissioned July 1, 1805; mustered out July T. 
1,S6,5. 

Anderson, Elijah E., Bardolph, enlisted Dec. 2, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran : mustered out July 
7. 1865, corporal. 

Brown, William P., Colnmr. enlisted Dec. 16, 1861; died at Colmar, 111. 

Hanks, George, Colmar. enlisted Dec. 16, 1861; died at Corinth, Dee. 24, 1802. 

McCord, William. Bardolph, enlisted Dec. .5, 1861. 

Pi-lly, David. Bardolph. enlisted Dec. 2, 1861; mustered out Dec. 25. 1,S64. 

Babbitt, Robert. Bardolph, enlisted Dec. 2, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered <>ut July 7, 
186.5. 

Smith. Richard L., Bardolph, enlisted Dec. 5, 1861; discharged Sept. 9, 1802. 

Smith, Henry, Bardolph, enliste<i Dec. 16, 1861 ; re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out July 7, 
1805. 

Iiowney. Jnmes. Bardolph, enlisted Jan. :50. l.so:'; mustered out July 7, 186.5. 



222 HISTORY OF m'donougii county. 

Head, Ri<'hard R., Biinlolpli, enlisted Feb. 21, 1864: mustered out .July 7, 18C5. 
.liU'ob, lienjamiu F,, MncDmb, enlisted March Ki, 1FG-); nmstered out .Iiiiy", IKfi'. 
MeBride, Hanuiel .S., Biirdulph. enlisted Feb. 29, 186-1; mustered out July 7. IbiS. 

FIFTY-NINTH INFANTRY. 

COMPANY C. 

Captain Barzillia M. Veateh, Tennesse, commissioned Aug. 5, 18H1. liesigned June 1;!, 1868. 

Captain George R. Stire, Tennessee, commissioned March 28, 18ti5. Mustered out Dec. ,s, L'Stifi. 

First Lieutenant Norman Curtis, Tennessee, commissioned June in, 1863. Term expired March 
11, 1865. 

First Lieutenant John IL Loop, Tennessee, commissioned March 28, 18(xj. Mustered out Dec. 
8, 1865. 

Second Lieutenant Heslep Phillips, Prairie City, commissioned April 14, lS(i2. Resigned April 
17, 1863. 

Second Lietitenant George R. Stire, Tennessee, commissioned Juno lo, 1808. Promoted; re-en- 
listed as veteran. 

Second Lieutent Samuel Purdam, Tennessee, commissioned March 28, 186.'). Mustered out Dec. 
8, 1865. 

Orderly Sergeant Dennis L. Buford, Tennessee. Discharged Sept. 5, 1861, disability. 

Sergeant Jefferson G. Eastwood, Tennessee, enlisted July 10. Transferred to Mississippi Marine 
Brigade. 

Sergeant Joseph H. Bayles, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Discharged April 6, 1803; disability. 

Sergeant Joseph Holmes, Tennessee, enlisted JulylO, 1801. Discharged April 8, 1862; disability. 

Sergeant Henry R. Turpin, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Mustered out Sept. 17, 1864. 

Corporal William H. McElroy, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Transferred to Misiissippi Ma- 
rine Brigade. 

Corporal Samuel Purdam, Tennessee, enlisted July 10. 1801. Re-enlisted as veteran, mustered 
out Dec. 8, 1865. 

Corporal William A. Blume, Tennessee, enlisted Julv 10, 1801. Killed at Perrvvillc. Ky., Oct. 
8, 1862. 

Corporal George Iseminger, Tennessee, July 10, 1861. Discharged February 14, 180:5; disability. 

Corporal Nurnian Curtis, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1801. Promoted First Lieutenant. 

('orporal IIcsUp Phillip, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Promoted principal musician. 

Corporal John W. Leager, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Discharged May 26, 1862; disability. 

JSIusician Charles Veaich, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1801. Dischnrged May 26, 1862; disability. 

Musician .\lison G. Weir, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Dischur.ned Oct 29, 1861; disability.' 

Wagoner Samuel S. Bennett, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1801. Discharged Jan. 6, 1862, dis- 
ability. 

Alsop, William B., Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Discharged Jan. 1, 1862; disability. 

Asendorf, Henry, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1801. Re-enlisied as veteran • deserted March, 1864. 

Barnum, Henry, Teanessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Discharged March 9, 1802; disability. 

Brinay, Chriest, Tennessee, enlisted JulylO, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; died July 29, 1864; 
■wounds. 

Bell, George W., Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Dec. 8, 
1865. 

Beals, Jessie \V., Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1801. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Dec. 8, 
1865, as sergeant. 

Grants, CJeorge, Tennessee, enlisted Julv 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran: mustered out Dec. 8, 
1865. 

Chung, Jackson W., Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1801. Deserted Aug. 27, 1864. 

Cumbal, Francis, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Deserted May 22, 1862. 

Coehr.in, James, Tennessee, enlisted July 18, 1801. Re-enlisted as veteran : killed at Na.-!hville, 
Dec. 16, 1861. 

Chusy, John, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, ISOl. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Dec. 8. I860. 

Chute, Abraham G., Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1801. Died at Springfield, Mo., Nov. 6, 1861. 

Dillon, James, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. M\istered out Sept. 17. 1864. 

Dobbs, Henry, Tennessee, enlisted Julv 10, 1801. Re-enJisted as veteran; mustered out Dec.S, 
1865. 

Doughton, Andrew, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1801. Discharged Oct. 12, 1862; disability. 

Dorsey, William M., Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Dec. 
8, 1865. 

Eastwood, George W,, Tennessee, enlisted Julv 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out 
Dec. 8, 1805 

Eilenge, James M., Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1S()1. Re-enlisted as veteran ; promoted toquarter- 
master sergeant. 

Kmeil, William H., Tennessee, enli.sted July 10, 1861. Killed at Perryvi'le, Ky., Oct. 8, 1802. 

Krens, William, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Dishonorably discharged March 19, 1862. 

(iordon, Charles W., Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Dishonorably (iiscliarged March I'J, 1862. 

Green, Washington, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1801. Mustered out Sept. 17. 18(>4. 

(lauf, Samuel T., Tennessee, enlisted July lb, 1861. Transferred to Mississippi Marine Brigade 
Feb. 11, 180S. 

Gallegher. Thomas, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Discharged Jan. 3, 1863; disability. 

iioyt, Joel, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Discharged March 18, 1863. 

Herr, George W , Tennessee, enlisted July 10, lc61. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Dec. 8, 
1865. 

Jacob, Samuel J., Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Dec. 8, 
1865 

Ja'rvis. William H., Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Killed at Perry^iMe, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862. 

Jarvis, Gilbert, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Transferred to Invalid Corps July 1, 186;{. 



HISTORY OF m'D0N()U(;H COUNTY. 22^ 

James, Charles, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 18(51. Transferred to Mississippi Marine Hrigade Feb. 
11, 1863. 

Loflam, Eugene, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 18G1. Rischarged Feb. 6, ISHS. 

Loup, John II., Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Promoted to Commissary Sergeant ; re-enlisted 
as veteran ; promoted to First Lieutenant. 

Loge, Nathan, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Died at Inka, Miss., Aug. 19, 1862. 

lyawyer, Tnomas, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1S61. Killed at Pcrryvillc, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862. 

Loftis, William, Tennessee, enlisted July "lO, 1801. Died at Mound City, 111.," Aug. 6, 1863. 

Mourning, John M., Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Died at Lebanon, Mo., Feb. 10, 1863. 

McGoram, Tlumias, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Dec. 
8, 186.i. 

Melvin, Thomas J., Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Dec. 
8, 1865. 

Murphy, James, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Died March 18, 1862, wounds. 

Mullen, Michael, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Discharged Feb. 3, 1862, disability. 

McTiegh. Michael, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Deserted June 26, 1863. 

Morris, Willard, T'eunessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; mustered oui Dec. 
8, 1865, promoted. 

Norman, George E., Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Killed at Rocky Face Ridge, May 11, 1864. 

Nelson, Benjamin, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Dec. 
8. 1865. 

Nelson, William, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Sergeant died Dec. 1, 1863, wounds. 

Olive, Rii'hanl. ■l\Miiiess<'e, enlisted July 10, 1861. l)is<tharged Dec. 26, 1862, dis<lbility. 

Pnrdam, .Me.siich, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out Dec. 
8, 1864. 

Phiver, Louis, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; deserted Aug. 25, 1864. 

Painter, James IL, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Deserted .Sept. 20, 1862. 

Spencer, Joseph, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out Dec. 8 
1865. 

Shanklln, John, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Mustered out Sept. 17, 1864. 

Stilson, Nicodemus, Tennessee, enlisted July 10,1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; transferred to 
1st U. S. Engineer, Aug. 24, 1864. 

Sullivan, Joshua H., Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out 
Dec. 8, 1865. 

Sheets, James II., Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Killed at Stone river, Dec. 31, 1862. f- 

Trolock, Thomas, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Di-scharged June 6. 1862. disability. 

Torhouse, Henry, Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; died Dec. 16. 1864. 

Tally, William. Tennessee, enlisted July 10, 1861. Mustered out Sept. 17, 1864. 

Purdam. Francis M., Chalmens, enlisted March 7, 1865. Mustered out July 18, 1865. 

SIXTY-SECOXD IXFANTKY. 

COMPANY I. 

Corporal Jacob Pruat, Macomb, enlisted Feb. 1, 1862. Discharged Sept. 8, 1862; disability. 
Abbot, Joshua, Industry, enlisted Feb. 1, 1862. Deserted May •^8, 1862. 

Cordell, James, Industry, enlisted Feb. 1, 1862. Re-enlisted as vet.; mustered out Mar. 6, 1866. 
David, John F., Industry, enlisted Feb. 1, 1862, Discharged Mar. 27, 1863: disability. 
Flack, Alexander, Indu.stry, enlisted Feb. 1, 1802. Mustered out May 2, 1865. 
Reno, Alexander, Industry, enlisted Feb. 1, 1862. Re-enlisted as vet. ; mustered out Feb. 6, 1866. 
Black, Richards., Industry, enlisted Mar. 18, 1865. Translerred to Co. G; mustered out Feb. 
18, 1866. 
Peak, Patrick, Industry, enlisted Aug. 28, 1862. Transferred to G ; mustered out Aug. 2, 1865. 
I'eak, William, Industry, enlisted Dec. 9, 1863. Transferred to Co. G ; discharged May 23, 1865. 
'Jatham, W. II., Industry, enlisted Dec. 29, 1863. Mustered out Mar. 6, 1866. 

COMPANY II. 

Belleville, Jacob X., Prarie City, enlisted Jan. 5, 1864. Transferred to Co. A : mustered out Mar. 
«, 18(i6. 

INASSIGNED RECRUITS. 

Dixon, John, Macomb. 
Frank, Mari.m, Macomb. 
White, Charles W., Maccmib. 
Williams, Moses J., Macomb. 

SIXTY-FOURTH INFANTRY. 

COMPANY A. 

Abbott, tJeo. W., Tennessee, enlisted Nov. 9, 1861. Deserted August 18, 1862. 

Anderson, Joseph, Colchester, enlisted Nov. 13, 1861. Re-tnlistcd as veteran ; mustered out July 
11, 1805. 

Blancbard, William, Tennessee, enlisted Nov. 9, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out July 
11,186.5. 

Cochran, Stephen D. , Tennessee, enlisted Nov. 20, 1861. 

Clayton, Francis M., Tenne.s.see, enlisted Nov. 4, isiil. Discharged- Jan. .30, 1865 ; disability. 

Dinwiddle. Robert, Tennessee, enlisted Nov. 1".. 1><()1. Itischarged Oct. i;!, 1862; dis.iidliiy. 



224 HisTOUY OF m'donouoh county. 

■Pouglas, Louis, Teunessee, enlisted Nov. 2.'!, ISGl. Re-enlisted as vetcrnii, mustered out July 11, 
l;6'). 

Delay. Jacob, Tennessee, enlisted Nov. 4, 1861. iJischarKed Sept. 17, 180'2 ; disability. 

Francis, Horner, Tennessee, enlisted Nov. 23. 18G1. IJi.scharsed Sept. 17. 18fi2 ; disability. 

Fuller, Josiali, Tennessee, enlisted Sept. 2.'), 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran, niustered out July 11, 
1865. 

Griffin, Asa F., Colchester, enlisted Dec. 1.3, 18G1. Re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out July 11. 
186.5, corporal. 

Hall, Riohard, Tennessee, enlisted Dec. 13, 1861 ; mustered out Jan. 21, 1865. 

Hill, William, Tennes.see, enlisted Nov. 20, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out July 11, 
1865. 

Hume, James M., Colchester, enlisted December 13, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran, promoted com. 
sergeant. 

Hutchinson, William A., Tenneesee, enlisted Dec. 4, 1861. Discharged Sept. 17, 1862; disability. 

Jennings, Herndon, Tennessee, enlisted Dec. 4, 1861. Mustered out June 2, 186'); prisoner of war. 

Johnson, Svdnev M., Tennessee, enlisted Dec. 4, 1861, Discharjs'ed July 19, 1862; disability. 

Keithley, David, Blandinsville, enlisted Nov. 23, 1861. Mustered out June 26, 186.5. 

Lower, John, Tennessee, enlisted Dec. 4, 1861. Discharged Sept. 28, 1862 ; disability. 

Newton, Joseph, Colchester, enlisted Nov. 23, 1861. 

Nelson. .lames, Tennessee, enlisted Dec. 4, 1861. Discharged Oct. 26, 1862; disability. 

Patterson, Joseph, Tennessee, enlisted Nov. 23, 1861. Ro-enlisted as veteran, mustered out July 
11,1865, musician. 

Peck, Oron, Tennessee, enlisted Dec. 13, 1861. 

Ramsey, George W., Colchester, enlisted Dec. 13, 1861. l)ied at Jackson. Tenn., Sept. 8, 1862. 

Roxise, George, Tennessee, enlisted Nov. 13, 1861. 

Steel, Nelson, Tennessee, enlisted Nov. 4, 1861. 

Stephens, James, Tennessee, enlisted Nov. 14, 1861. Discharged Mar. 17, 1862; disability. 

Spyva, And. Tennessee, enlisted Nov. 20, 1861. Deser'ed at St. Louis. 

Simmons, James, Tennessee, enlisted Nov. i:i, 1861. Discharged Sept. 17, 1862 ; disability. 

Bhippey, Daniel R., Colchester, enlisted Nov. 13, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out 
-June 11, 1865. 

Tolraan, John W., Tennessee, enlisted Nov. 13, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out June 
11, 1865. 

Underbill, Lodowick, Tennessee, enlisted Nov. 13, 1861. Discharged Sept. 20, 1862 ; disability. 

Way, Charles, Tennessee, enlisted Nov. 4, 1861. Re-enli.'ted as vet. ; absent sick at muster out. 

Averill, Charles W , Tennessee, enlisted Feb. 17, 1864. Mustered o\U July 11, 1865. 

Cochrane, Stephen D., Tennessee, enlisted Jan. 29, 1864. Mustered out July 11, 1S65. 

Nance, Frederick, Tennessee, enlisted Feb. 17, 1864. Mustered out July 11, 1865. 

Parker, Henry, Tennessee, enlisted Feb. 10, 1862. 

COMPANY D. 

Captain George W. Reid, Macomb, commissioned Dec. 23, 1862. Promoted from 2d lieutenant 
to 1st-; mustered out at expiration of term of service. 

First Lieutenant Duncan Reid, Macomb, commissioned June 20, 1862. Promoted from 2d lieu- 
tenant; term expired April 9, 1865. 

Hospital Steward Thomas W. Kelloiigh, Macomb, enlisted Dee. 31, 1863. Must'd out July 11, 1865. 

Sergeant Andrew J. Creel, Macomb, enlisted Nov. 1, 1861. Discharged Sept. 17, 1862; disability. 

Sergeant Zimri Parvin, Bardolph, enlisted Nov. 1, 1861. Discharged Sept. 17, 1862; disability. 

Corporal Benjamin Purkey, Macomb, enlisted Nov. 1. 1861. Discharged Oct. 1.5, 1862; disability. 

Corporal Andrew Kellough, Macomb, enlisted Nov. 1, 1861. Killed near Corinth, May 8. 1862. 

Corporal William Musson, Colchester, enlisted Nov. 1,1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; mustered 
out July 11, 1865. 

Butler, William N., Bardolph, enlisted Nov. 1, 1861. Re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out Julv 
11, 186.5. 

Done, Thomas E., Colchester, enlisted Dec. 10, 1861. Discharged Aug. 10, 1862; disability. 

Jacobs, John W., Macomb, enlisted Dec 1, 1861. Mustered out Dec. 24, 186-1. 

Jacobs, William R., Macomb, enlisted Dec. 1, 1861. Died at Glendale, Miss., Oct. 1, 1863. 

Luddon, David H., Colchester, enlisted Nov. 1, 1861. Mustered out Dec. 24, 1864, as 1st sergeant. 

Litchfield, John, Macomb, enlisted Nov. 1, 1861. DiscliarLied Oct. 16, 1862, as sergeant ; disability. 

Lyons, James, Bardolph, enlisted Nov. 1, 1861. Died at iiome, July 28, 1862. 

Mercer, (ieorge S., Macomb, enlisted Dec. 1, 1861. Discharged July 7, 18(i2 ; disabilitv. 

Walker, Henry E , Bardolph, enlisted Nov. 1, 1861. Discharged Sept. 29, 1863; disability. 

Brown, Charles, Macomb. Discharged August 27, 1862; disability. 

Brown, James A., Chalmers, enlisted March 7, 1.865. Mustered out July 11, 1865. 

HoViart, Francis, rdlcticstcr, enlisted Feb. 7, 1864. Mustered out JulvU, 1865. 

Kellougli, Itichiird, Cbalmors, enlisted Feb. 14, 1864. Mustered out .fulv U. 1865. 

Litcblield, George, Chalmers, enlisted Jan. 2, 186-1. Musterea out July 11, 1865. 

Musson, Austin L., ("olchester. enlis'ed Feb. 18, 1864. Mustered out July 11, 1865. 

Stokes, Samuel B., Chalmers, enlisted Jan. 2, 1864. Died at Decatur, Ala., May 15, 1864. 

Wiley, Lewis II., Chalmers, enlisterl Jan. 4, 1864. Mustered out June 2, 1865. 

Winslow, Charles F., Tennessee, enlisted Feb. 17, 1864. Killed near Atlanta, Ga., July 22, 1864. 

Wiley. Cornelius D., Chalmers, enlisted Feb. 24. 1865. Mustered out July 11, 1865. 

Roberts, Adam, Macomb, enlisted Dec. 28. Discharged, Aug. 25, 1862; disability. 

COMPANY E. 

Rouse, Isaac M., Colchester, enlisted December 22, 1861. Discharged June 28, 1862. disability. 
Walter, Krhard, Macomb, Dec. 26, 1861. Re-enlisted a.s veteran ; mustered out July 11, 1865. 



HISTORY OF M'dONOUGH COUNTY. 225 

COMPANY F. 

Brown, Chiirles, Macomb, enlisted Deo. 29, 1861. Discharged; disability. 

Havnes, Jonathan, Macomb, enlisted December 26. 18G1. Died at St. Louis, ,Iuly 3, 18G2. 

Ilaskins, Benjamin. Tennes^ee, enlisted Dec. 2S, 1861. Mustered out Jan. 2:i, 1865. 

Roberts, Adan;, Macomb, enlisted Dee. 28. 1801. Discharged; disability. 

Ralston, Jessie R , Macomb, enlisted Dec. 10, 1861. Di.scharged Jan. 10, 1865; term expired. 

Dickerson, Churles, Colchester, enlisted Jan. 8, 1862. Re-enlisted as veteran ; discharged Jan. 10. 
1865. 

Craig, Wm. H., Macomb, enlisted Feb. 24, 186-1; mustered out July 11. 1805. 

Dixon, John, Colchester, enlisted Jan. 3, 1862; re-enlisted as veteran; dLscharged Jan. 10, 1865. 

Fair, William, Chalmers, enlisted March 7, 1865; led at Roanoke, S. C, March 31, 1865. 

Dutton, William, CU)lchester, enlisted .Ian. 1, 1862. 

Frank, Marion F., Tennessee, enlisted Jan. 1, 1862; re-enisted as veteran, promoted. 

Johnson, John M., Tennes.see, enlisted Jan. 1, 1862; discharged July 23, 186:3; disability. 

Kirkpatrick, William, (Colchester, enlisted Jan. 1, 1862; died. 

Lloyd, John V., Colmar, enlisted Jan. 1, 1862; re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out July 11, 
1865. 

Mourning, John W., Tennes.see, enlisted March 25, 1864; mustered out July 11. 1865. 

Martin, Charles, Tennessee, enlisted Jan. 1862; discharged Aug. 21, 1862; disability. 

Powell, James, Tennessee, enlisted Jan. 7, 1862; re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out July 11, 
1865. 

Roberts, Elmore, Tennessee, enlisted Jan. 7,1862; re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out July 11. 
18a5. 

Roberts, Chauncv, Tennessee, enlisted Jan. 7, 1862. 

Rowe, Louis P., Tennessee, enlisted Jan. 7. 1802; discharged .Sept. 4. 1862; disat)ility. 

Wilson, Thomas M., Colchester, enlisted Jan. 7, 1862; re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out July 
11, 1865. 

Williams, Moses J., Tennessee, enlisted Jan. 7, 1862; re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out July 11. 
as .sergeant. 

Williams, Henrv W., enlisted Jan. 7, 1861; discharged June 14, 1862; disability. 

White, Charles W., Tennessee, enlisted Jan. 7, 1862; re-enlisted as veteran ; mustered out July 11, 
1865. 

Way, Enoch, Tennessee, enlisted Jan. 7, 1861; discharged Feb. 17, 1862, disability. 

SEVENTY-SECOND INFANTRY. 

COMPANY G. 

Cecil, Henrv A., Lamoine, enlisted Aug. 13, 1862; mustered out Aug. 7, 1865. 

Ewing, William, Colmar, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; discharged June 30, 1863; disability. 

Jenkins, Joseph, Colmar, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; absent, prisoner of war, at muster out of regi- 
ment. 

Jenkins, Thomas, Colmar, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862: mustered out July 15, 1865. 

Jarvis, John M., Tennessee, enlisted Aug. 13, 1862; mustered out May 27, 1865. 

Jarvis, Garrett J. D., Tennessee, enlisted Aug. 13, 1862; discharged for promotion in 50th U. 
P. C. Infantry ; lieutenant ; killed at Fort Blakely, April 9, 1865. 

Morris, Harmon F., Tennessee, enlisted Aug. 13, 1862; died at Paducah, Oct. 9, 1862. 

Myers, John, Tennessee, enlisted Aug. 13. 1862; died at Yazoo Pass, March 16, 1863. 

McDanitl. (ieorge W., Tennessee, enlisted Aug. 13, 1862; mustered out May 27, 186.5. 

McDauiel, William, Tennessee, enlisted Aug. 13, 1862; mustered out June 22, 1865. 

Miller, Henry G., Tennessee, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; mustered out Aug. 7, 1865, as corporal. 

Peters, Peter, Tennessee, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862: died at Selma, .Via , July 20, 1865. 

Royce, John W., Tennessee, enlisted Aug. 13, 1862; died at Columbus, Ky., Oct. 21, 1863. 

Spurlock, Lewis J., Tennessee, enlisted Aue. i:'., 1862; mustered out Aug. 7, 1865. 

•Smith, Markcav, Tennessee, enlisted Aug. 13, l.s62: mustered out Aug. 7, 1865. 

McKlvain, George W., Walnut Grove, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; mustered out Aug. 7; 180.5. 

COMPANY I. 

Corporal John C. Murrav. Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 14, 1802: mustered out Aug. 7, 1865 . 

Bartlett, Hiram M.. lUishnell. enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; mustered out Aug. 7, 1805. 

Brannan, Patrick, Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 14, 1802; killed at Franklin, Tenn., Nov. 30, 1864. 

Cole, Samuel D., Prairie Citv, enli.-tcd Aug. 14, IMVJ; transferred to Invalid Corps, Aug. 5, 1803. 

Cooper, Cvrus, Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 14, 1802: mustered out Aug. 7, 1805. 

Fordham," John, Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; transferred to Co. D; absent sick at muster 
out. 

McElvain, George W., Walnut Grove, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; transferred to Co. G ; mustered out 
Aug. 7, 1865. 

Maro.se. Daniel R.. Prairie Citv, enlisted Aug. 14, 1802: mustered out Aucr. 7,1805. 

Miller, John W,, Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 14. 1862; discharged Feb. 12, 1.h63: disability. 

Neglv, John F., Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 14, 1802: discharged Jan. 29, 186:!; disability 

Sanders, Anthonv, Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 14, 1802: discharged March 14, 1N03; disability. 

Wilson, Curtis B., Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 14. I.MVJ; nuistcred out .\ng. 7, 1805. 

Negly, John F., Bushnell, enlisted Nov. 18. 1863; transferred to 33d Illinois Infantry ; mustered 
out Nov. 24, 1865. 

Shreves. Henry S., Bushnell, enlisted Nov. 18, 1863; transferred to 33d Illinois Infantry; must- 
ered out Nov. ■.'4. 180.^ 

Wilson, William, Bushnell, enlisted Nov. 18, 1863; transfered to 3;M Illinois Infantry; mustered 
otif Nov. 24. 1865. 

Wilson, Amos, Bu.shnell, enlisted Nov. 18, 1863; transferred to 33d Illinois Infantry; mustered 
out Nov. 24, 1865. 



'226 HISTORY OF m'doNOTCH CoUNTV 



SKVENTY-EIGIITIL IXFAIS^TRY. 

IIOSTKR OF OFFlCEliS. 

Colonel Carter ^'au Vleck, Macomb, commissioned Jan. 1), ISW ; died Aug. l'o, 1804 ; wounded at 
Atlanta, Ga. 

Maior William L. Broaddu.s, Macomb, commi.ssioned Sept. 1.'), 18C2; killed Sept. 20, 18(13. 

Adjutant Charles V. Chandler, Macomb, commissioned Sept. 20, 1x62; resigned April 3, 18C4. 

Surgeon Thomas M. Jordon, Macomb, commissioned Sept. 1, l.sfi2; resigned April 5. 1863. 

Second Assistant Surgeon Durham M. Creel, Industry, commissioned March 24, 1864: mustered 
«ut June 7, ixeri. 

Chaplain Robert F. Taylor, Macomb, commissioned Sept. 7, 1862; resigned July 8, 1863. 

Sergeaiit-Major Charles V. Chandler, Macomb, commissioned Aug. 14, 1862; promoted Second 
Lieutenant Co. I. 

Sergeaiit-Major Harman Veatch, Tennes.see, commissioned Aug. 15, 1862; promoted Second Lieu- 
tenant Co. I. 

Principal Musician Daniel M. Carroll, Industry, commissioned Aug. 14, 1862; mustered out 
June 7, 186.S. 

Principal Musician Reuben L. Maynard, Industry, commissioned August 11, 1862; absent sick at 
muster out of Regiment. 

COMPANY A. 

Brundage, George W., Bethel, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; discharged Aug. 24, 1863 ; disability. 

Brundage; James, Bethel, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1865, as corporal. 

Fugate, Martin V.. Bethel, enlisted Aug. 11, 1802; killed at Chickamauga, Sept. 20, 1863. 

Fugate Samuel II., Betbel. enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; died Resaca, Ga., May 17, 1804, wounded. 

Frisby, Abraham, Bethel, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; mustered out June 7, 187.5. 

Husted, Talmon, Bethel, enlisted Aug. 11, 1802; transferred to V. R. C. 

Scott, Amos, Bethel, enlisted Aug. 15, 1862; promoted to First Lieutenant. 

Toland, Solomon, Bethel, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862: killed at Chickamauga Sept. 20, 1863. 

Toland, William. Bethel. Aug, 1.5, 1862: discharged Feb. 14, 1863; disability. 

Johnson, David, Middletown, enlisted Nov. 18, 1863; transferred to Co. H, 34th 111. Infantry. 

Hendricks, Harvy F., Colmar, enlisted Feb. 25, 1804: transferred to Co. H, 34th 111. Infantry. 

Mullens, John W., Macomb; transferred to Co. H, 34th 111. Infantrv. 

Scott, Richard W., Bethel, enlisted Feb. 25, 1864; died Sept. 2, 1864 ; wounded. 

COMPANY C. 

Captain Charles R. Hume, Blandinsville, commissioned Sept. 1, 1862; resigned Dec. 18, 1864. 

• Captain George W. Blandin, Blandinsville. commissioned Dec. 18, 1864; mustered out June 7, 
1865. 

First Lieutenant Oliver P. Courtwright, Blandinsville, commissioned Sept. 1, 1862; resigned Oct. 
«, 1863. 

First Lieutenant Andrew J. O'Neil, Blandinsville, commissioned May 10, 1805; mustered out 
Junes, 186.5. 

Second Lieutenant John E. James, Blandinsville, commissioned Oct. 6, 1803; killed in battle 
June 27, 1864. 

Bond, Marion D. M,, Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 2, 1802: discharged May 5, 1865; wounds. 

Bently, Joseph H. Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 12. I.s02: discluuged Aprils, 1863; fli.sability. 

Boylan, Thomas C., IJlandinsville, enlisted .\ug. 2, 1,S62; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

Bridges, Thomjis B., Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 7, 1862; transferred to Company I, Oct. 1, 1862. 

Carter, Isaac G,, Blandinsville, Aug, 12, 1862: mustered out July 7, 1865. 

•Chaffin, Philip. Blandinsville, enlisted Aug 16, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1805. 

■Cole, Eleazer, Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 12, 1802; deserted Jan. 3, 1063. 

Curtis, Mark M., Blandinsville, enlisted July 21, l.stiJ; deserted Jan. 'A, 1863, as corporal. 

• Carnes, Ilenrv, Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 2. l.SiVJ; mustered out June 7, 1865. 
Clark, Edward, Blandinsville, enlisted .Inly :;o, ls(;2: di.seharged Oct. ;5, 1802: disability. 
Cline, Marshall (-., I'.laudinsville, enlisted Aug, 12, INVJ; killed at Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 7, 18C4. 
Curtis, Joseph P., Blandinsville. enlisted Aug. 22, 1S62: mustered out June 7, 1805. 
Downen, Thomas J., Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 14, 1802: tiansfered to comiiany I Oct. 1, 1862. 
Davis, Thomas J., Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 2, 1862; discharged Feb. 1, isr.l: disability. 
Dowell, George W., Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 2. 1802: died at Nashville, Teiin,, Oct. 29, 1863. 
Dixon, William. Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 2, 1802: deserted .Um. :i, 1803. 

Duncan, .lames M., Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 2, ISOJ; mustered out June 7, 18G5, a.s corporal. 
Duncan, John, Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 2, 1802; discharged March 13, 1863, as muscian, dis- 
ability. 

Duftield, 'VVi'liara 11,. Blandinsville, Aug. 1, 1802; mustered out June 17, 180.5, prisoner of war. 
Decker, Nathaniel, Mac(mib, enlisted Aug. 14, 1802; transferred to Co. I. Oct. 1, 1862. 
Forrest, John, I'.laiidinsville, enlisted Aug. 13, 1802; killed at Jonesboro, Ga., Sept. 1, 186-1. 
Frank, .lohn, Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; mustered out June 7, 186,5. 
Freeland, William ('., lilandinsville, enlisted July 22, 1862; mustered out June 22, 186.5. 
Green, John F., Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 21, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1865. 
Galbreath, John T., Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 13, 1802; mustered out June 7, 1805. 
Gorham, .John, Blandinsville, enlisted Julv 22, 1862: mustered out June 7, 18t)5. 
Gibson. Samuel T., Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 10, 1802; transferred to Co. I. Oct. 1, 1862. 
Harmon, William W., Blandinsville, enlisted July 21, 1862; died at Savannah, Feb. 21, 18'»>. 
Harmon, Jt)hn, Blandinsville, enlisteil July 22, 1«62; mustered out June 7, 1865. 
Hamilton, Elisha, Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 12, 1802; mustered out June 17, 1805. 
Hainline, John R., Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 10, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1805. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 227 

Huddlestou. James R., BhuKHnsvillp, enlisted Auc. 2, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1805. 

Hendricks, Lewis, Uliiudinsville, enlisted Aug. 9. 1862; mustered out June 7, 18fi5, as corporal. 

James, John \V., Blundinsville, enlisted A\ig. 2, 18(>2; killed at Jone.sboro, Ga., Sept. 1, 1861. 

James, William I-;., I{Uvn<linsville, enlisted Aug. 2. 18(il; mustered out June 7, IHfiS. 

.lames, John K., BlaiKliusville, enlisted Aug., 2, 1802; 1st Sergeant, killed at Kenesaw Mountain, 
June 27, ISO-I. 

James, Jose)ih A., Blandinsville. enlisted Aug. 2,M861; mustered out June 7, 180.5, as corporal. 

Jenks. Joel II., BlandinsvilU', enlisted Aug. -1, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1805, Jis musician, 

Kirkpatriek, Francis A., Blandinsville, enlisted Aug, 16, 1802; mustered out Junp 7, 186'>, as ser- 
geant. 

Keithley, Perry. Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 12. 1862; mustered out June?, 1805. 

Keithley, Joseph II., Blandinsville, enlisted July :W, 1802: mustered out June 7. 1805. 

I.indsey, Tlionias. Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 12, 1802; died at Chattanooga, June 25, 1804. 

Lawsoii, Joseph I)., Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 19, 1802; deserted Sept. :'.0, 1862. 

McGee, William F., Blandinsville, enlisted July 28, 1862; mustered out June 7. 1865. 

Morgan, Clinton, lilandinsville, enlisted Aug. 2, 1802; drummed out of service Nov. -1, 1862. 

Messacher, Silas, Blandinsville, enlisted .\ug. 2, 1802; mustered out June 7, 1805. 

Mayhngh, John T.. Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 15, 1802; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

.Mayhugh, Francis T., Blandinsville, enlisted .\ug. 2, 1802; deserted May 21, 180:!. 

Marshall, Josephns, Blandinsville. enlisted Aug. 19, lst;2; deserted Jan. 9, hsCw. 

Michaels, Jacob H., Blandinsville, enlisted July 29, 1802 ; killed at Kenesaw Mountain June 27, 
1864. 

Martin, George. Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 2, 1862 ; mustered out June 7, 1S05. 

Mealey. Michael. Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 2, 180.) ; Sergeant, killed at Atlanta, Sept. 4,1804. 

Magie" James K., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 1, 1802 : mustered out June 7, l,s05, First Sergeant. 

.Magie, Charles 11.. Blandinsville. enlisted Aug. 1, 1802 ; died at Nashville. Tenn., Aug. 19, 1863. 

Mayhugii, Loban D., Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 12. 1802 ; deserted May 21, 1803. 

McFall, Sylvester, Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 2, 1802 ; discharged Dec 10, 1864; wounded ; Cor- 
])oral. 

.Midcap, Nathaniel, Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 2, 1862 ; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

ifeeks, Luther. Blandinsville. enlisted Aug. 12, 1802 ; mustered out June 7, 1865 ; Sergeant. 

Messacher. \Vm. D., Blandinsville. enlisted Aug. 2. 1S62 ; mustered out June 7, 1865; Corporal. 

>[onohan, John. Blandinsville. enlisted Aug. 16, 1862 ; died at Chattanooga April 3, 1864. 

Norris, Charles L.. Jilandinsville, enlisted July 2?>, 1862 ; died at Chattanooga Nov. 6, 1864. 

O'Neii, Andrew J., Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 2, 1802; promoted First Lieutenant. 

(>"Cain, James, Blandinsville. August 10, 1802 ; discharged .Sept. 1.3, 180.3; disability. 

Rush. John W.. Blandinsville, enlisted July 22. 1802 ; killed at Jonesboro, (xa., Sept. 1, 1804. 

Roberts, Peter B., Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. i;^, 1862 , mustered out June 7, 1865. 

Riddell, Sylvester, Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 2, 1862; died at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 30, 186;^. 

Sherry, Marion, Blandinsville, Aug. 1, 1802 ; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

i^mith, William, Blandinsville, enlisted July 21, 1862 ; discharged March 7, 1873 , disability. 

Spielman, Charles L , Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1865; Sergeant. 

Stafford. Albert J., Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 10,1862; mustered out June 12, 1865 ; Sergeant. 

Sims, John, Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862 ; transferred to Co. I Oct. 1, 1862. 

Tyft, Cyrell, Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. l:i, 1802 ; killed at Jonesboro, Ga., Sept. 1, 1864. 

Tipton" James, Blandinsville, Aug. 10. 1802; discharged Nov. 11, 1862; disability. 

^"enning Henry, Blandinsville. enlisted Aug. 2, ls62 ; killed at Jonesboro, Ga., Sept. 1, 186-4. 

Warner, Wm. IF, Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 2, 1862 ; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

Wnrley, John L., Blandinsville, enlisted Aug, 2, 1862 ; mustered out June 7,1805. 

Wilson, Andrew, Blandinsville, enlisted .^ug. 12, 1802 : mustered out June 7, 1805. 

Woodside. John W., Blandinsville, enlisted July 29, 1802; deserted March 7, 1863. 

Wilson, Elias H., Blandinsville, enlisted .\ug. 2, 1862; mustered out June 22, 1865; prisoner of 
war. 

Worley. William H. IL, Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 2, 1802; mustered out June 17, 1865. 

Welsh, .Fames 1;., Blandinsville, enlisted .\iig. 14, 1862; mustered out . I uno 7, 1805. 

Willielms, William .\., Blandinsville. enlisted Aug. 11, 1802; transferred to Co. I Oct. 1, 1S62. 

liiiyles. Joseph W., IJlandinsville, enlisted Aug. 2, 1802; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

Brown. Frederick P.. Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 2, 1802; deserted Jan. :^, 1863. 

(hafliii, Michael, Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 22. 1862; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

Kirk. ,I;ihn W., Hire, enlisted March 19, 1804; mustered out June 22, 1805. 

I'ace. Ingram, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 1, 1862; transferred to Co. I Oct. 1, 1862. 

Tifr, Semer, IJIandinsville, enlisted July 22, 1862; rejected by mustering oflicer. 

Terry, Richard L., Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 9, 1862; died of wounds, in service. 

Warner, Jesse, Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 22, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

COMPANY D. 

I.,uc-. Uilliam. Industry, enlisted Aug. 28, 1862; mustered out June 7. 1865. 

COMPANY F. 

(aptain Flisha .Morse. Macomb, iiinimissioned June 6, ls05: mustered out June 7. lsr.5 : pro- 
moted from First Lieutenant. 

CO. MP ANY 1. 

Captain Granville H. IJeynolds, Industry, coramiss.sioned Sept. 1, 1862; resigned Dee. 19. 18ii4. 

First l>ientenant Ilardiu" Hovey, Macomb, commissioned Sept. 1, 1802; honorably discharged 
May 1.5. I,s6.5. 

Second Lieutenant .lames H. McCandless, Macomb, commissioned September 1. 1S<VJ: resigned 
May 29, l.stiS. 



228 HISTORY OF m'donough county. 

Second Lieutenant Charles V. Chandler, commissioned May 29. l.S(i:?: promoted. 

Arnold. Ira, Bethel, enlisted Aug. 14, IWii; mustered out .lune i:i. l.sc>5. 

Allen, Richard (!., Scotland, enli-sted Aug. 11, 186-.': died at .Andcrsonville Prison, May 28, 1864. 

Allhouse, Lebeus, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14, 18G2; died at Riclxmond, Va., Feb. 14, 1864, while 
a prisoner of war. 

Anstine, Theodore P., Bethel, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862: mustered out June 7, ISfi'i, a prisoner of war. 

Buchanan, .lames C, Industry, enlisted August 14, ksiil: mustered out June 7, 1S6.\ as sergeant. 

Brown, Daniel, Industry, enlisted Aug. '.I, ISlVi; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

Bennett, Albert C, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862. Died at Boston. Ky., Nov. 12, 1862. 

Beatty Simon B , Industry, enlisted Aug. 9, 1862; mustered out June 7, 186.'S, as corporal. 

Bowman. William H., Betliel, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862: died November 26, 186H, wounds. 

Baymiller. Micluiel, Industry, enlisted August 11, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

Brown, Christopher, Industry, enlisted Aug. 9, 1862; died at Richmond, Va., Jan, 2:^, 1S64, while 
a prisoner of war. 

Bear, John O., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862. mustered out June 7, 1865; corporal. 

Batchelor, John, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14. 1862; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

(.;hapnian. Dou'^ias M., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 22, 1862; mn.stered out June 7, 1865. 

Chase, lames >i., ScoUand, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

Clarli, Jerome J.. Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14, 1852: tir-t sergeant; died April :M, l.<65, of wound.s. 

Cowgill, John F., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; discharged Jan.:^0, 1864; disability. 

Carroll, Daniel M., Industry, enlisted Aug. 14. 1862; promoted principal musician. 

Carroll, James S., Industry, Aug. 9, 1862; discharged July 7, 186)5, disability. 

Craig, Simeon, Scotland, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; died at Audcrsouville Prison, Sept. 22, 1864; No. 
of grave 9,:^07. 

CJarnaham. Sophroneus, Industry, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1865. as corporal. 

Downen, Thcnnas J., Industry, eulistcd Aug. 14. 1862; discharged April 20, 1864, wounds. 

Diserron, Daniel, Industry, enlisted Aug. 6. 1862; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

David, (ieorge H., Industry, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; died Oct. 2, 186:5; wounds. 

DeCamp. (Join S.. Industry, enlisted Aug. 11. 1862: mustered out June 7, 1865, 

Dallam, Samuel W., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

Doran, Hugh H., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; died in Andersonville Prison May 28, 1S6I; No. 
ol grave, 1441. 

pAlmondsou, Thomas, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14, 18.52: mustered out June 7, 186.5, as sergeant. 

Garrison, Zacariah M., Industry, enlisted Aug. 14, ISiisf: mustered out June 7, 1865, as sergeant. 

liibson, John, Industry, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; discharged April 6, 1863; disability. 

Gill, Benjamin F , Macomb, enlisted .\ug. 14, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

Howe, John B., Emmet, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

Hall. George P., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

Ilogue, George P., Macomb, enlisted ^ng. 14, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1865, as corporal. 

Hamilton, Parmenium, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; died Oct. 15, 1863, of wounds. 

Hummer, John, Industry, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1863, as corporal. 

Lane, Benjamin F., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; killed at Chicliamauga, Sept. 20, 1863. 

Laughlin, Robert F., Macomb, enlisted Aug. l.>, 1S62: mustered out May 24, 1865. 

Monfort, Lawrence M., Mound, Aug. 15, 1862: discharged July '_'4, 186:5; disability. 

McCandless, Moses A., Macomb, enlisted .\ug 14: killed near (iriggsville. Tenn., Nov. 26, 1864. 

MeCandless, Wilson, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14. !8t.L': mustered o\it June 7, 1865, as corporal. 

Maxwell, John C., Industry, enlisted Aug. 9, ISilJ: discharged Aug. 9, 1863, as corporal, disability. 

Mvers, John V., Industry, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862: mustered out June 7, 1865, as corporal, 

McClellan, James C, Industry, Aug. 9, 1862; sergeant; discharged Aug. 1864, for promotion in U. S. 
colored troops. 

McClellan, John, Chalmers, enlisted .-Vug. 9,1862: discharged April 30, 1863: di.sabihty. 

McClellan, William G., Chalmers, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; discharged Dec. 12, 1862, for promotion 
in U. S. colored troops. 

Mayfie'.d, Joseph, Industry, enlisted Aug, 15: mustered out Tune 7, 1865; pri.soner of war. 

I'enniHgton, Joseph L., Industry, Aug. 9, ls62: discharged Jan. 19, 1863; disability. 

Pitman. Burress E., enlisted .^ug. 14, 1S(;2: discharged Aug. IS, 18(;3; disability. 

Pittman, George, Industry, Aug. 14, 1S62; discharged Aug. 24, 186:5; disability. 

Pembroke, John F , Scotland, enlisted .Vug. 13, 186..'; musl'.red out June 7, 1865. 

Plotts, Thomas M., Macomb, Aug. 14, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

Parker, Henry, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

Painter, (ieorge, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14. 1862; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, Sept. 
1. 1863. 

Rhea, Elias B., Mound, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862: mustered out June 7, 1865. 

Ricketts, Harvey, Sciota, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; mustered out June 22, 1865; prisoner of war. 

Reed, Henry G., Industry, enlisted Aug. 14. 1862: mustered out June 7. 1865. 

Reed, William R., Industry, enlisted .4ug. 7, 1862: mustered out June 17, 1865; i)risoner of war 

Shannon, John F., Industry, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; mustered out June 18, 1865, as first sergeant. 

Scudder, Je.ssie B., Industry, enlisted Atig. 11, 186.;. mustered out June 7, 1865. 

Stewart, Francis M., Industry, enlisted Aug. 9, 1862; died at Andersonville Prison, Aug. 20, 1864, 
No. of grave 6,292. 

Stewart, Thomas B., Industry, enlisted Aug. 9, 1862; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps April 
18, 1864. 

Shannon. James P., Industry, enlisted Aug. 14. 1S62: mustered out .lune 7, 1865. 

.Seward, John W., Industry, enlisted Ang. 11, 18C.2; died Oct. 22, 1863. 

Stewart, John F., Industry, enlisted Aug. 9, 1862: transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps April 
28, 18t>4. 

Scudder, Martin V., Industry, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; discharged June 30, 1863; disability. 

Smith, Joseph A., Scotland, enlisted Aug. 14, 1861: mustered out June 17, 1865; prisoner of war. 

Smith, James H., Macomb, enlisted .'Vug. 14, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1865, ns sergeant. 

Smith, William F.. Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14. 'stij; musten d out June 7. 1865. 

Tunis, Josepli, Bethel, enlisted Aug. 19, 1862; dischaiged May 1, 1863; disability. 

Tunis, Isaac, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

Vail, Thomas J., Industry, enlisted Aug. 9; died at Nashville, Tenn., July .3, 1863. 

Vincent. David A., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; mustered out June 14, 1865; prisoner of war. 

Weaver, William, Chalmers, enlisted Aug. 9, 1862; died Sept. 6, 1864; wounds. 



HISTORY OK m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 229 

Weaver, John, Chalmers, enlisted Ahr. 11, 1862; mustered ont. Tune 7, ISCi'). 

Wilhrow, James K , Mncumb, enlisted Aug. 1-1. 1«(>'J; mustered out ,Iune 7, 18(j5. 

Wilson, Lewis R., Industry, enlisted Aug, 14, 1862; mustered out .Inne 7, 1865. 

Wilson, Kul'ns R.. IndustrV, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

Bronddus. Thomas H., Mneomb, er.listel June 15, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1S65. 

Bridges, Thomas li , Imhistry, enlisted Aug. 7, 1862; diseharged Aug. 24, 1.S63, disability. 

Carroll, John R., Industry, enlisteil Aug. 14, 1862; died in Andersonville Prison Aug. 24, 1863, No. 
of grave 7.(i:'w. 

Cupp, Jon;is P., Chahners, enlisted Feb. 4, 1864; discharged May 5, 1865. 

Cupp. William C, Chalmers, enlisted Feb. 4, 1864; transferred to company F, 34th Illinois In- 
fantry. 

Ueeker, Nathaniel, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; mustered out Jmie 6, 1865; prisoner of war. 

Ellis, James C, Macomb, enlisted Jan. 19, 1864: transferred to company F 34th Illinois Infantry. 

Faber, Jacob. Macomb, enlisted Aug. 22, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

Gibson, Samuel F., Industry, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; died in Andersonville Prison, July 29, 1864, 
No. of grave 4,2(11. 

M(?CUntock, Karr, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; mustered out June 7, 1865. 

McClure, Hugh, Chalmers, enlisted teb. 4, 1864; transferred to Company F., 34th Illinois In- 
fantry. 

Pace, Ingram A., Scotland, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; discharged December 13, 1864; disability. 

Sims, Joim, Scotland, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; mustered out June 17, 1865; prisoner of war. 

Wilhelm, William A., Industry, enlisted Aug. 20; discharged Oct. 1, 1864; disability. 

Wilhelra, Samuel P., Industry, enlisted Aug. 9, 1862; mustered out July 23, 1865, prisoner of war . 

EIGHTY-FOURTH INFANTRY. 

ROSTER OF OFFICERS. 

Colonel Lewis H. Waters, Macomb, commissioned Sept. 1, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865; pro- 
moted Brevet Brigadier-Ceneral, Jan. 13, 1865. 

Adjutant Charles E. Waters, Macomb, commissioned Sept. 1, 1862; resigned Sept. 29, 1863. 

Quartermaster Louis A. Simmons, Macomb, commissioned July 25, 1863; mustered out June 8, 
1865. 

Surgeon James B. Kyle, Macomb, enlisted Sept. 1, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 

COMPANY A. 

Captain John P. Higgins, Macomb, commissioned Sept. 1, 1862; resigned .Tan. 24, 186.5. 

Captain Willis Edson, Macomb, commissioned Jan. 24, 1865; mustered out June 8, 186.5. 

Second Lieutenant William F. Stearns, Macomb, commissioned Sept. 1. 1862; mustered out May 
7, l>i63. 

Second Lieutenant John S. Walker, Macomb, commissioned June 6, 1865; mustered out June 8^ 
186.5. 

Sergeant John McCabe, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 2, 1862. Detached at muster out of regiment. 

Sergeant Edwin B. Rail, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 2, 1862; discharged June 11, 1863. 

Sergeant Thomiis M. Whitehead, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; died at Gallatin, Tenn., Dec. II, 
1862. 

Corporal Warren S. Odell, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 2, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as sergeant. 

Corpond Joseph B. Wortman, Scotland, enlisted Aug. 4, l,sii2: discharged April 2, 1863; wounds. 

Corporal David J. Tuggle, Industry, enlisted July 30, 1862: died March 31, 1863; wounds. 

Corporal Quincy A. Roberts, Industry, enlisted Aug. 2, 1,S62; killed at Rocky Face Ridge, May 9, 
1864. 

Corporal William J. Lea, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; discharged April 21, 1863. 

Corporal Thomas J. Starns, Scotland, enlisted June 25, 1862; died at Nashville, Tenn., Eeb. 14, 
1863. 

CorporaJ William Jones, Industry, enlisted Aug. 2, 1862; discharged June 26, 1864; wounds. 

Allen, CoiTner W., Industry, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; deserted Sept. 22, 1862. 

Archer. George C, Bethel, enlisted -•Vug. 9, l,s62; musterecl out June 8, 1865, as corporal. 

Blair, Samuel, Macomb, enlisted A\ig. 22. 1862: die<i at Louisville, Ky., Oct. 26, 1S63. 

Brotherton, Silas E. Macomb, enlisted Aug. 9. 1862; died at Lookout, Tenn., .\ng. 7, 1864. 

Buttler Preston, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14, 1,m;2: discharged Feb. 14, 1863. 

Baker, John, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 20, lMi2; died Sept. 21, 1863; wounds. 

Clark, Jacob, Bethel, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862: disclmrged March 16, 1864. 

Clarke, .lames S., Bi'ihel, enlisted Aug. 11, isni; mustereil out .June 8, 1865. 

Clark, Milton. Macomb, enlisted Aug. 9, isivj; died at Nashville, Dec. 2.5, 1862. 

Casto. (ieorge W., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 1862: died at Chickanuiuga, Sept. 21, 1863. 

Casio, Thomas, I.. Macomti, enlisted Aug. 11, I.s62: dischnrged Feb. 14, 1863. 

Cox, Nathan C, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 9, 1862; transferred to Invalid Corps, Dec. 18, 1863. 

Covalt, Abraham B., Macomb, enlisted .Vug. 9, 1862; di.sharged April 13, 1863. 

Crane, John A., Scotland, enlisted Aug. 9, 18f)2; mustered out June 8, 1865. 

Case. Edward, Scotland, enlisted Aug. 20. 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, assergeant. 

Dunsworth, Dinnion B., Bethel, enlisted .-Vug. 20, 1862; transferred to Invalid Corps. Dec. 18, 1863. 

DriscoU, John, Bethel, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; died at Somerset, Ky., Nov. 27, 1862. 

Deardorir, Joseph, New Salem, eidisted Aug. 19, 1862; discharged April 77, 1863; disability. 

Davis, John W., Chalmers, enlisted Aug. 19. l.s()2; mustered out June 8. 1865. 

Fenton, (Ieorge, New Salem, enlisted Aug. 18, 1862: <lischan;i'd .bin. 6, 1863. 

Gadd, Frank, New Salem, enlisted Aug. 19, 1862; died at .N'ashville, Jan. 20, 1865; wounds. 

Green, William T. Sv'iota, enlisted .Vug. 1862; transferred to Engineer Corps. .\ug. 2, 1864. 

Holliday. Francis M., Bethel, enlisted Aug. 20, 1862; killed near Dallas. Ga., Mav 30, 1864. 

Kelly, James, Scotland, enlisted Aug. 9, 1862; transferred to Engineer Corps, Jul'v 27, 1864. 

H— 15 



230 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

I.ane, David H., Mat-oinb, enlisted Aug. 20, 1802; discharf,'e(l .Tan, 4, l.%4. 

Lutes, Granville M., New Salem, enlisted Aug. 20, l.S(;2; detaehed at muster out of regiment. 

Misener, Charles W., Bethel, enlisted Aug. 11, 1802; mustereil out June 8, 180.i, as corporal. 

Maury, Thomas B., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 9, 1802; promoted to Hospital Steward and reduced; 
diseharged Aug. 0, 180:!. 

Morris, Richard L., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 9, 1802; mustered out June 8, 186j, as corporal. 

Nolan, Michael, Muroiiib, enlisted July 19, 1802; innstorcd out June 8, 180'). 

Owen. Nathaniel, Macoml), enlisted Aug 11, l.siVJ; mustered out J\ine 8, 180.'S, as corporal. 

o'Bryan, Edward, Macumb, enlisted Aug 11, isr/j; killed as Rocky Face Ridge, May 9, ISO-l. 

Parks, (Jeorge, Industry, enlisted Aug. 11, 1S02; dii'd at Nashville, Feb. 18, 180;?, wounds. 

Parks. .lohn. Industry, "enlisted Aug. 19, 1X02; mustered out June 8, 1805, as corporal. 

Pelsor, John ('., Bethel, enli*ted Aug. 19, l.S(;2; transferred to engineer corps Aug. 2, 1801. 

Patrick, Samuc], Bethel, enlistcil Aug. 19, l.S(;2; discharged March 23, 1803; wounds. 

Patrick, Charles, Bctlu-1, enli.sted Aug. 11, l,sc,2; discharged February, 19. mv.i. 

Remick, Augustus, Macomli, enlisted June 2."), 18ii2: mustered out jiine 8, 1805. 

Reno, Joseph L., Bethel, enlisted -Vug. 20, 1802; mustered out June 8, 1865. 

Robertson, James T., Chalmers, enlisted Aug. 20, 1802. discharged JIarch 2, 1805. 

Shoopman, Jacob, Bethel, enlisted Aug. 2, 1802; mustered out .June 8. 1805, as corporal. 

Spear, Samuel R., Industry, enlisted Aug. 2, 1862; discharged March 0, 1803; wounded. 

Shepherd, Thomas J., Bethel, enlisted Aug. 2; transferred to Mississippi marine brigade April 
14, 1803. 

Slyter, Philo, Chalmers, enlisted Aug. 11, 1802; discharged Feb, 2, Iso:!; wounds. 

Slyter, Lorenzo, Chalmers, enlisted Aug. 11, 1802: absent sick at muster out of regiment. 

Smizer, John, Chalmers, enlisted Aug. 12, 1.S02; discharged Dec. 15, l.s62. 

Tuggle, Crawford, Industry, enlisted .July :i0, 1S(;2: detached at muster out of regiment. 

Voorhees, George R,, Chalmers, enlisted Aug, i',, 1,S(12, died April 13, 1802. 

Voorhees, John, Bethel, enlisted Aug. 11, 1802; mustered out .lune 8, 18(')5. 

Walker, Daniel, Chalmers, enlisted .Aug. 13, 1802; transferred to Veteran Reserve Cor|)s, .lune 13, 
1803; wounded. 

White, Thomas W., Industry, enlisted Aug. 5, 1802, mustered out June 8, 1X05. 

Wood, Richard A., Scotland, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; discharged December 25, 1802, 

Willis, Able H., New .Salem, enlisted Aug. 19, 1802; died at Andersonvillc Prison, March 15. 1805. 

Wilson, Zacharia, Bethel, enlisted Aug 9, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1805. 

Whiting, Charles II., Macomli, enlisted June 25, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1805. 

Wells, Christopher C, Bethel, enliste<l Aug. 20, 1862; discharged Feb, 28, 1863. 

Dawson, Richard A., Macomb, enlisted Nov. 18, 1863; transferred to Company F 21st Illinois In- 
fantry. 

Clarke, Benjamin F., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 1, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1803. 

Chase, Chauncey, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 9, 1S62; discharged March 23, 1803. 

Mitchell. Wilford, Macomb; di.scharged .March 23, 1X03; wounds. 

McCamenout. James P., Macini-ili: died Sept, 1, ixi;2. 

Willis, George W , Macomb, enlisted Aug. 20, 1802; died at Chattanooga, Oct. 1:;, 1803. 

COMPANY 15. 

Corporal Richard H. MeClintock, Eldorado, enlisted July 31. 1802; sergeant; killed at Chicka- 
aiiauga, Sept. 20, 1863. 

Corporal David G. Ilarland, New Salem, enlisted Aug. 1, 1.S02; died Jan. 3, 1803, wounds. 

Andrews, Martin, Eldorado, enlisted Aug. 0, 1862; mustared out June 8, 1865, 

Chappell, Woodford, Eldorado, enlisted Aug. 2, 1862; discharged Jan. 22. 

Ilannon. Patrick, Mound, enlisted Aug. 7; mustered out .luneS, 1865. 

■<;reen, William T., Eldorado, enlisted July 31, lxi;2: mustered out June S, 180.5. 

Leight.i', John II.. Eldorado, enlisted Aug. 2, 1X02; mustered out June 8, 180.5, as corporal. 

Miles, Augustus. Eldora<lo, I'ulisted July 31, 1X02: kilh'd at Chickamauga, Sept. 19, 180j. 

Mitchell, Coleman, Industry, enlisted July 30, 1X02: dieil .\iiril :;■ ixi,:',, wounds. 

Smiter, James P., Eldorado, enlisted July 31, 1X02; mustered o\u June x, 1x05, as corporal. 

Stambaugh, Jacob. Eldorado, enlisted Aug. -1, 1802; discharged Jan. 30, 1863. 

Stambaugh, Samuel. Eldorado, enlisted Aug. 7, 1X02; mustered out June 8, 1805, as sergeant. 

Toland. John T., Eldorado, enlisted A<ig. 7. 1802; absent sicK at muster out of regiment. 

Walker, Ebenezer, F:idorado, eidisted July ;W. lxti2: mustered out June 8, 186.5; wounded twice. 

Walker, Samuel, F:idorade, enlisted Inly 31, 1802, died Oct. 21, 1863, wounds. 

Greer. John A , Industry, enlisted Jan. 4, 1861; transferred to Co. F, 2Ist Illinois Infantry; died 
June 9, 180.5. 

COMPANY C. 

Captain William ICrvin. Macomb, commissioned Sept. 1, 1862; mustered out .lune 8, 1865. 

First Lieutenant Joseph G. Waters, Macomb, commissioned April 18, ISK!; mustered out June 8, 
1865. 

Second Lieutenant "William P. Pear.son, Macomb, commissioned Sept. 1, 1862; resigned Feb. 22, 
1803. 

Second Lieutenant William F. Jones. commis.sioned F'eb. 22, 1863. mustered out June 8, 1865. 

First Sergeant William T. Harris, enlisted June 9, 1862; reduced; discharged Feb., 1803, wounds. 

Sergeant John S. Provine, Macomb, enlisted June 18, 1862; 1st sergeant, wounded severely at 
Chickamauga; mustered out June 8. 1805. 

Sergeant George T. Yocnm, Macomb, enlisted F'eb. 4, 1862; killed at Stone river, Dec. ;n, 1862. 

Sergeant John A. F^yre, Macomb, enlisted June 18, 1802; died at Macomb, Jan. 16, 1864 

Sergeant William Pointer, Scotland, Aug. 6, 1862; reduced, discharged Jan. 29, 1863, disability. 

Corporal Daniel Wooley, New Salem, August 7, 1862; sergeant; wounded at Chicamauga, muster- 
ed out June 8, 1x65. 

Corporal William J. Ilensley, Macomb, Aug. 7, 1862; died at Bowling <;reen, Ky., Dec. 19. 1862. 

f'orporal FMward S. Piper, Slac<mib, July 18- lxt)2; sergeant, died at Manchester, July 18, 1863. 

Corporal Alexander Blackburn, Macomb, July 15, 1862; sergeant, wounded at Chickamauga, pro- 
moted hospital steward. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 231 

Corporal Williiim I,. Ilmnptoii, July 'jCi, 1,S(VJ; di8Chiirfi;c<i April II, 1,S(W, disability, 
(.'orporul Nathan A. Miller, Macomb, June 9, ISG.'; died at Miirfreesboro, Tenii." May 2'.'., ISiU. 
Adeock, Josei)h T., New Salem, enlisted An^. ", l.sri2;died at Murfreesboro, Jan. G, IHfi'.i. 
Avery, Daniel, Macomb, enli.sted Aug. 0, IStlJ; mustered out June S, IHC'y. 
Kroaddus, Thomas IL, Macomb. June lo, 1N(')_': transferred to 78th Illinois Infantry. 
Brooks, Francis, Maci)mb, enlisted .luly 19. INtlJ: died at Louisville, Ky., Nov. 23, i862. 
Brown. David, Macomb, enlisted July i'.t, l.sdJ: died at Danville, Ky., Dec. 10,, 18(12. 
Bowlin, John S., Macomb enlisted Aug. '.», isdj; disehai^red Feb. bsi l.S(J4, wounds. 
Cord, William (!., Macomb, enlisted , July 24, 1802; dist^liarged Feb. 18, isft!, di.satjility. 
('hai)man, William A., Macomb, enlisted July 4, 1862; mustered out June 8, ise.'i. 
(■haini>. .^Iartin IL, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 8, 18{i2; transferred to Mississippi Marine Brigade, 
Ajiril 11, 18(3. 
l>ailey, James, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 7, 18(J2; mustered out June 8, 186.5. 
Dailey, Isaac \V., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14, 18(')2; discharged April 2:i, 1863, disability. 
Krwiii, .lessie L., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 28, 1862; mustered out June 8, 186,1, wounds. 
I'liley, William H,, Macomb, enlisted June 11. 1802; discharged Feb. 27, 186:j; disability. 
I-erguson, Jackson \'.. Macomb, enlisted Aug. 29, 1802; died at Benton Barracks, Mo.", Februarv 

ii). 1m;:;. 

Hill. James, Macomb, enlisted July 22. 1862; discharged Feb. 19, 1862, disability. 

Harris, John, Macomb, enlisted July 20, 1802; mustered out June 8. 186,3. 

Hall, Henry, Macomb, enlisted July 19, 18(12; transferred to Miss. Marine Brigade in 186:$. 

Herron, Wesley C, Macomb, enlisted July 5, 1862; mustered out June 8, 186.'i, as sergeant. 

Harris, George W., Macomb, enlisted July 24, 1862; mustered out June 8, 186.i. 

Herndon, Alleu A., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 9, 1802; died at Nashville, Feb. 20, 1862. 

Hammer, Josiah Y., New Salem, enlisted .\ug. 7, 1802; mustered out June 8, 18li5, as corporal. 

Harlan, Marcus L., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 7, 1862; discharged April 22, 1863; disability. 

Johnson, James, Macomb, enlisted June 25, 1802; mustered out June 8. 1865. 

Kemble, Thomas E., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 7, 1862; transfered to Mississippi marine brigade in 
1863. 

Kelsey, Cyrus, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 7, 1862; discharged March 13. 1863; disability. 

Lee, Cicero B., Macomb, enlisted June 13, 1802; re,iected. 

Markham, Albert, Macomb, enlisted July 12, 1862; discharged March 2, 1863: wounds. 

McQuestion, Alexander, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 6, 1802; died at Na.shville. Feb. 7, 1863. 

Martin, Thomas J., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 15, 1802; corporal; mustered out June 8, 1865; woun ds 

McDaniels, tieorge W., Macomb, erdisted Aug. 2, 1862; discharged Ai)ril 14, 1863, wounds. 

Maines, Uavid, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 9, 1S62: transfered to invalids corps Nov. 20, 1863. 

Maxwell, George, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 9, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as sergeant. 

Pennington, Cliarles W., Macomb, enlisted Aug 6, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1805, as corporal. 

I'rovine, James IL, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 2, 1862; discharged Oct. 5, 1804; wounds; corporal. 

I'urdam, Abraham, Scotland, enlisted Aug. 0, 1862; died at Nashville, Feb. 15, 1863; wounds. 

Furdam, James. Scotland, eulisted Aug. 0, 1802; mustered out June 8, 1865; wounded. 
Pennington, Richard W., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 7, 1802; killed at Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862. 
Pennington, William T.. Macomb, enlisted Aug. 7, 1862; discharged May 11, 1863; disability. 
Rollins, John II. . Kmniet. enlisted June 18, 1862; died at Na^hville, Tenn., Jan. 2, 1863. 
Ringer, William W., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 0, 1802; discharged Jan. 0. 1865: wounds. 
Sunipter, Henry, Macomb, enlisted July 1, 1802; mustered out June 8, 1805. 

Simmons, William W., Macomb, enlisted June 14, 1862; died at Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 23, 1862. 
Sweeney, John W., Macomb, enlisted July 1, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
Strattoii, John W., Colchc-ter, enlisted July 21, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
Stratton, Elijah, Colchester, enlisted July 25, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865; sergeant. 
Smith, Samuel A., Macomb, enlisted .\ug. 7, 1862; mustered ovit June 8, 1865. 
Smith, Edward, ^iacomb. enlisted .\ug. 7. 1802; died Sept. 22, 1803; wounds. 
Swigart, Josiah, Macomb, enlisted June 19, 1862; died in McDonough county, 111., June 9, 1864. 
Sweeney, William, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 9, 1802; discharged March 10, 1865, disability. 
Tandy, Jeptha M., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 9, 1.S02: mustered otit June 8, 1865. 
Venable. John W., Macomb, enlisted July 29, 1802; discharged Feb. 8. 1863, disability. 
Vleet, David, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 9, 18*02; dischartced April 23, 1863, disability. 
A'anmeter, Henry, Macomb, enlisted July 28, 1802; died at Dallas, Ga., June 1, 1864. 
\Vitherell, Cyrus, Macomb, enlisted June 13, 1802; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
Willis, Abraham V., Macomb, enlisted lulv 26, 1862: dieii at Lf)uisville, Ky., Dec. 6, 1802. 
Wiiislow, William IL. Macomb, enlisted July 21, 1862: died at Nashville. Tenn., Dec. 21. 1862. 
^\ inslow, Charles F.. Macomb, enlisted July 24, 1862; diselnirgcd March 5, 1863, disability. 
\\ilkinson. Frederick, Macomb, enlisted July 22, 1862: mustered out June 8, 1865, wouuils. 
Wavlaiul, William IL, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 9, 1862; Transferred to Mississippi Marine Brigade 
in 186.0. 
Walker, William C. Macomb, enlisted June 18, 1862: discharged Jan. 28, 1863, disability. 
Hunter, James II. , Macomb, enlisted Dec. 16, 1863; transferred to Co. F., 21st Illinois Infantry; 
mustered out Dec. 16. 1865. 

Hankins, .John, New Salem, enlisted Feb. 11, 1861; transferred to Co. F., 21st Illinois Infantry; 
mustered out Dec. 16, 1865. 

COMPANY E. 

Taylor, Benjamin F., New Salem, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862: mustered out June 8, 1865, as corporaL 

COMPANY F. 

Second Lieutenant Samuel Frost. New Salem, commissioned Sept. 1, 1862; resigned Nov. 23. 186.1. 

Second Lieutenant Joseph Price, Eldorado, commi.ssioned June 6, 18()3; mustered out June 8, 1805. 

Corporal Eli Elwell, New Salem, enlisted Aug. 7, 1862; killed at Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862. 

Corporal James H. Kennie, New Salem, eulisted Aug. 7, 1862; Sergeant; died at Chattanooga. 
Oct. 20, 1803. wounds. 

Con'oral Rufus L. Cox, Eldorado, enli.sted Julv 31, 186C: transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, 
Aug. 14, 1864. 



232 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 



Benson, Vachcl, New S;ilem, enlisted Aug. 7, 1862; killed at Stone River Bee. 31, 18C2. 

Enders, Cliristopber, New Siilein, enlisted Aug. 2, 18ii2: killed at Stone River Dee. :^1, 1862. 

Graves, Alkii, New Salem, enlisted Aug. 7, 18(i2; died at Muri'eeesboro, ,Tan. 23, 18(53. 

Herlocker, James M , New Salem, enlisted Aug. 7, 1802; mustered out June 8, 18t).3 as corporal ; 
wound.s. 

Hammond, Benjamin, New Salem, enlisted Aug. 7, 1862; mu.stered out June 8, 186.5. 

Kerr, George N., New Salem, enlisted Aug. 7, 1862; died at Quiney, 111., Feb. 11, 1864; wounds. 

Kerr, Clayburn T., New Salem, enlisted Aug. 7, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865 as sergeant: 
wounded. 

Knock, Daniel, Eldorado, enlisted Aug. 7, 1802; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, April 16, 
1864; wounded. 

McConnell, George, New Salem, enlisted Aug. 10, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 

Miller, Eevi A., New Salem, enlisted Aug. 10, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1805, as corporal. 

McFadden, Samuel N., Eldorado, enlisted Aug. 7, 1862; discharged Dec. 25, 1862; disability. 

Nebergall, Reuben J., New Salem, enlisted Aug. 10, 1862; discharged Dee. 25. 1802; disability. 

Seaburn, George, New Salem, enlisted Aug. 7, 1862; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps July 1, 
1863. 

Sloan, John F., New Salem, enlisted Aug. 2, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1805. 

Shaffer, John, Bardolph, enlisted Aug. 9, 1802; mustered out June 8, 1805, as sergeant. 

Swearingin, Martin, New Salem, enlisted Aug. 9, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as sergeant. 

Swearingen, George, New Salem, enlisted Aug. 7, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 

Thomas, John, Eldorado, enlisted July 31, 1801; mustered out June 8, 1805. 

Turner, Thorns B.. Eldorado, enlisted Aug. 9, 1802; discharged May 4, 1863, wounds. 

Wetsel, Christopher, New Salem, enlisted Aug. 7, IstiL'; mustered out June 8, 1805. 

Walroth, Abram N., New Salem, enlisted Aug. 12, mnstfred out June 8, 1865. 

Culp, Willliam, Bushnell, enisled Dec. 23, 1802; transferred to Company F'., 21st Illinois Infantry: 
mustered out Dec. 10, 1865. 

> EIGHTY-EIGHTH IXFANTKY. 

COMPANY A. 

Campbell, Thomas, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 11,1862; sergeant; died at Cowan Station, Tenn., 
July 27, 1863. 

Moss Samuel, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 13, 1862; discharged March 18, 1863; disability. 

Peterman, David P., Colceester,. enlisted Aug, 13,1803; died at Atlanta, Ga., July 28, 1864. of 
wounds. 

Randolph, John H.; Macomb, enlisted Aug. 15, 1862; transferred to Engineer Corps. 

COMPANY F. 

Sergeant .lames W. Filson, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; transferred to Veteran Reserve corps. 
Hol'lenbeck, Francis, Sciota, enlisted Aug. 14, 1802; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, mus- 
ered out July 27, 1805. 

ONE HUI^DRED AND THIRD INFANTRY. 

COMPANY F. 

Corporal Andrew J. Justice, New Salem, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; mustered out June 21, 1865, as 
se recant. 
Musician William A. Smith, Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 18, 1862; di.seharged Sept. 6, 1863; disability. 
Musician William E. Cooper, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 21, l.s02: discharged Jan. 30, 1864; disability, 
l^uck, Joseph H., Bushnell, enlisted Aug. It, Isti'J; mustered out June 21, 1805. 
Buck, Joseph, Bushnell, cnli^teil Aug. 14, 1m;2; mustered out June 21, 1805. 
Baughinuii. Samuel, Huslnu'U, enlisted jVug. 14, 18i'i2; mustered out June 21. 1805. 
HoUVr, Williiiin, Husluu'll, enlisted A\ig. 12, ls02: mustered out June 21, 180.5. 
Post, William, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 22, l.s02; mustered out June 21, 1805. 

COMPANY G. 

Ames, Amaricus, Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 15, 1862: transferred to Co. I; mustered out wounded. 
Myens, Artemus. Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 22, 1862; killed at Kenesaw Mountain, June 27, 1864. 
Yocum, John W., Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 22, 1802; mustered out June 21, 1865. 

ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEENTH INFANTRY. 

COMPANY A. 

Freeman, John P., Tennessee, enlisted Aug. 15, 1802; discharged June 6, 1865, as sergeant; dis- 
abilitv. 

Fortney, Henry M., Tennessee, enlisted Aug. 15, 1802; corporal; transferred to \ eteran Reserve 
Corps, Sept. 3, 1863. 

Ix;al, ('lark, Tennessee, enlisted Aug. 15, 1862: mustered out Oct. 1, 1805, as corporal. 

Martin, Henry C, Macomb, enlisted Aug. V\ 1802; died on steamer Di Vernon, Jan. 18. 1803. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 233 

COMPANY B, 

Burhani. .Tames T., Sciotii, enlisted Feb. 13, 186.'); aied Aug. 20, 18G.5. 
Ilaiph, .Ji)hti. KUloniiio: mustered out Oct. 1, 1865. 

Liidd, Andrew I,., Seiota, enlisted March 27, 18G.'); mustered out Oct. 1, 186,5. 
M('('ants, Leander, Maeonit), enlisted Feb. 14, 1865; mustered out Oct. I, 1865. 
Mattelli. Connid. Bethel, enlisted March 15, 1865 ; committed suicide May 12, 1865. 
Riimsey, Samiiel, Sciota, enlisted Feb, 16, 1865 ; discharged Aug. 23, 1865, disability. 
Wells, Lewis T., Sciota, enlisted Feb. 16, 1865 ; mustered out Oct. 1, 1865. 
Weider, Alonzo, .Sciota, enlisted Feb. 16, 1865 ; mustered out Oct. 1, 1805. 

COMPANY E. 

Corporal .lacob D. Bungar, Blandinsville, enlist'"d Aug. 14, 1862; discharged May 18, 186.5. 
Corporal Thomas, George W., Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; discharged Oct. 10, 1864; dis- 
ability. 

COMPANY I. 

House. William A., Macomb, enlisted Feb. 28, 1865; mustered out Oct. 1, 1865. 

COMPAl^Y K. 

Hazel, Solomon, Tennessee, enlisted Aug. 15, 1862; Transferred to Invalids Corps, Nov. 26, 1863. 

Martin, George W., Macomb. Transferred to tlie 33d 111. Infantry. 

Phillip, Phelix L., Macomb. 

Toland, D. L., Macomb. 

Clark. Peter, Macomb; rejected. 

OXE HUXDRED AXD XINETEENTH IXEAXTRY. 

COMPANY H. 

f apiain Samuel McConnell. Bushnell, commissioned Oct. 7, 1862 ; mustered out Aug. 26, 1865. 

First Lieutenant Henry C. Mullen, Bardolph, commissioned Oct. 7, 1862 ; resigned June 3, 1863. 

First Lieutenant Jackson Wells. Bushnell, commissioned June 2, 1863; mustered out Aug. 26, 

Second Lietenant Samuel D. Sawyer, Bardolph, commissioned June 2, 1863; mustered ont Aug, 
26. 1865. 

First .Sergeant Nathan B, McGraw, Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 13, 1862 ; discharged Oct. 26, 1863. 

Sergeant Levi S. Mils, Bushnell. enlisted A>ig. 1, 1862; mustered ont Aug. 26, 1865, as 1st sergeant. 

.-^ergeant Joel C. Bond. Busliiiell, enlisted .Vug. 13, 1865 ; mustered out Aug. 26, 1865. 

.Sergeant Robert T. Carter, Bardolph, enlisted Aug. 9, 1862; died at Vicksburg, Aug. 13, 1864. 

Sergeant I'arvis II. Moore, Bashnell, enlisted Aug. 13, 1862; mustered out Au^ 26, 1865. 

Arthur, Daniel, Bushnell. enlisted Aug. 13, 1862; mustered out July 19, 1865. 

Anderson, William II., Bushnell. enlisted Aug. 13, 1862; mustered out Aug. 26, 1865, as corporal. 

Amos, George W., Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 13, 1862; mustered out Aug. 26. 186.5. 

Bond, Benjamin, Bu.shnell, enlisted AugT 13, 1862; de.'^erted March 29, 1863. 

Booth, James. Jr., Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 13, 1862; disrtmrged .May 2.5, 1863, disability. 

Burchelt, Henry B., Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 13, 1862; discharged June 29, 1864, disability. 

Booth, James C, Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 9, 1862; mustered out Aug. 26, 186,5. 

Bechtel, David, Bushnell. enlisted Aug. 15, 1862; mustered out Aug. 26, 1S65. 

Booth, John, Bushnell, enlisted Aus. 13, 1.862; deserted Nov. 20, 1.S62, 

Carter, John E.. Bardolph. enlisted \ug. 9. 1862; mustered out Aug. 26, 186.5, as corporal. 

Clark, James. Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 1. 1,862; discharged Ang. 21, 186.5. 

Covert, Joseph B., Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 13, 1862; discharged June 28, 1.86.5, disability. 

Crownover, Franklin L., Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 13, 1,862: mustered oiit Aug, 28, 1865, as corporal . 

Covert, David, Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 14, 18(52; mustered out Aug. 28, 1865. 

Covert, John, Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; corporal; died at Jefferson barracks, Mo., Aug. 
24, 18M. 

Cruser, DeWitt T. B., B\ishnell, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; mustered out Aug. 26. 1865. 

Duncan, Benjamin. Bardolph, enlisted Aug. 9, 1862: died at Memphis, Avig. 5, 1864. 

Duncan. James E.' Bardolph, enlisted Ang. 9, 1S62; mustered out Aug. 26, 18t>5. 

Dewey, William IL, Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 13. l.s>2; mustered out Ang. 26, 1865. 

Ebv. .Jeremiah W., Bardolph, enlisted Aug. 22, 1S62; mustered out Aug. 26, 1865. 

Frost, Richard T., Bu>fhnell, enlisted Aug. 9, ISO.'; discharged Dec. 22, 1,862, disability. 

Fatist, Charles, Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 13, 1.862; discliarged .Vug. 11, 1865, 

Falck, Frederick, Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862, was prisoner; died at Mound City, 111.. Dec. 
30, 1862. 

Frankenburg, Benjamin, Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 13, 1862; died at Jefferson Barracks, Mo, Dec. 
13, 1864, wounds. 

Fleming, John, Bardolph, enlisted Aug. 14, 1,862; mustered out Aug. 16, 1865, as corporal. 

Faulkner, William, Bardolph, cnliijted .Vug, 14, 1.S62; mustered out Aug. 26, 1865. 

Farley, (ieorge, Bushnell, enlisted August 13, l.S()2; dischaigeil August 21, 1865. 

• xilson, Alpheus M,. Bushiull, ciilisttMl August 13, 1862; died at ijuincy. 111.. December 14, 186-1. 

Hobcrt. John, Colchester, enlisted August 12, 1862; dischiirged .November 22, 1862, disability. 

Hall, James, Bushnell, enlisteil .Vugust II. 1862; deserted March 29, 1863, 

Hunt, Manning F., Bushnell, enlisted August 13, 1.S62 ; detached at mustering out of regiment, 

Loggard, Tolbert. Colchester, enlisted August 13, 1862; transferred to veteran reserve corps Jan- 
uary 16, 1.S64, 

Kepple. James V,, Bushnell, enlisted .Vugust 14, 1SG2 ; dischnrged Augiist 11, 1865. 



234 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Kantz, George, Biishnell, enlisted Axi^ust 9, 18G2 : disehiirseil June 27, 1805. disability. 

Lemmoiis. .lames H., Busliiiell, enlisted Augnst9, 18t)2; mustered out August 'Jrt, l«t)'), sergeant. 

Long, Samuel C, ]5usl)nell, enlisted August i;5, lif^62 ; detuclied at mustering out of regiment. 

McKennelley, Wilson L., Bushnell, enlisted August 1:^. l.HCri ; died at Memyihis, July 20, 1861. 

McMaster, William W., Bardolph, enlisted August 22, isii'j; jjromdti'd to hospital sti'ward. 

McMein, Ammon P., Bushnell, enlisted August 22, l.sti2 : disehargi-d .\\igust 21, l.sfi.j, disal^ility. 

Noel. William T., Bushiudl. enlisted August IH, l.sii2: mustered out August 2G, IStJ.i. 

Oglesby, William T., Bushnell, enlisted August 14, isr)2 ; mui-tered out August 26, 18G,'). 

Parvin", Isaac M., Bardulph, enlisted August 14, 1862; mustered out August 26, 1865. 

Pelly, John 1)., Bardolph, enlisted August 0, 1862 ; mustered out August 26, 1865. 

Plotts, John C, Bushnell, enlisted .\ugust 1:^ 1862; mustered out August 26, 1865, wounded. 

Plotts, Martin L., Bushnell, enlisted August IS. 1862; mustered out August 26, 1865. 

Purman, John II., jSIacomb, enlisted .\ug\ist 14, 1862: mustered out August 26, 1865. 

Pugh, Alexander, Bardolph, enlisted Atigust 22, isr.i; : mustered out .\ugust 26, 1865, as wagoner. 

Stearns, Abdallah M., Bushnell, enlistcii August',*, 1862; discharged November 23, 1S62. 

Snook, Koswell H., Bushnell, enlisted A>ig\ist 1:>, 1862 ; mustered out June 15, 1865. 

Sutton, James A., Bushnell, enlisted August 13, 1862; mustered out August 16, 186.5, wounded. 

Thomas, William, Bushnell, enlisted August 14, 1862 ; discharged November 18, 1864, disability. 

Wilson, Lewis, Bardolph, enlisted August 22, IsCi.!; discharged June 22. 1865. 

Whittlesey, William H., Bushnell, enlisted August;', 1862; discharged June 19, 1865, wounded. 

Frankenburg, John W., Bushnell, enlisted January 5, bsiu ; mustered out August 26, 186.5. 

Maxwell, John A., Macomb, enlisted August 22, 18V>2 ; mustered out .\ugust 26, 1865. 

Morris, John, Bushnell, enlisted October 12, 1862; deserted March 19. I.s6;;. 

Camp, Thomas J., Bushnell, enlisted August 12, 1862; from Co. I. mustered out August 26, 1865. 

Couch, William H., Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 12. 18ri2; cMuipany 1: died March 30, 1863; wounds. 

Hyde, Charles, Bushnell, Aug. 12, 1,S62; con\pany 1; deserted June 11, 1S64. 

Ittle, John, Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; died in insane asylum, Washington, D. C, Oct. 1, 
1863. 

Ralston, David R., Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; from company I, transferred to veteran re- 
serve corps in 1864. 

Wagner, John, Bushnell, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; from company I; mu.stered out Aug. 26, 1865. 

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH INFANTRY. 

COMPANY I). 

Captain Stephen Brink, Tennessee, commissioned Sept. 10, 1862; resigned Aug. 11, 1863. 

Captain Abraham Newland, Colchester, commissioned Aug. 11, 1863; mustered out Aug. 15, 1865. 

Second Lieutenant Travis Mellor, Colchester, commissioned Sept. 10, 1862, resigned June 20, 1863. 

Sergeant John Bechtel, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 13, 1862; died at L. Providence, La., March 21, 
1863. 

Corporal John Baglan, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 5, 1862; discharged Feb. 2, 1864; disability. 

Corporal James H. Kirk, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; discharged Nov. 8, 1862, as sergeant. 

Corporal Joseph Jackson, Colchester, enlisted August 8, 1862; mustered out Aug. 15, 1865, as ser- 
geant. 

Musician William 6. Wilson, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 8, 1,S62; mustered out Aug. 15, 1865. 

Byerly, David, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; mustered out .\ug. 15. 1865. 

Bechtel, Abraham G., Colchester, enlisted Aug. 15, 1862; discharged June 5, 1865; disability; cor- 
poral. 

Brodbont, Thomas, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 15, 1862; died May 16, 1863, wounds. 

Barrett, Abner, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 9, 1862; died at Keokuk, Iowa, Oct. 24, 1863. 

Bainbridge, John, Colclu'ster, enlisted Aug. 5, 1MV2; dicii at Memphis, Jan. 28, 1863. 

Boyd, William H., Macoml), enlisted Aug. 5, 1S62; died at .lackson. Tenn., Nov. 15, 1862. 

Caibert, Simon, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 8, 1862; died at Memphis, July 24. 1863. 

Chapin, Robert, Colchester, eidi.sted Aug. 24, 1862; mustered out Aug. "l5, 1865, as corporal. 

Dungan, John, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; mustered out Aug. 15, 1865, as sergeant. 

Dewey, Victor M., Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; discharged Sept. 20, 1864, for promotion 
in U.S. C. H. A. 

Deener, William F., Middletown, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; mustered out July 5, 1865. 

Duncan, Joseph, Macomb, enlisted Feb. 25, 18(k; transferred to 33d Illinois Infantrv; mustered out 
Nov. 24, 1865. 

Ennis, John W., Colchester, enlisted Aug 12, 1862; discharged in 1865. 

Gartside, Job, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 6, 1862; died at St. Louis, Nov. 1, 1864. 

Green, William M., Tennessee, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; mustered out .\ug. 15, 1865. 

Hume, Thomas, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 5, 1862; mustered out Aug. 15, 1865, as sergeant. 

Hickman, William, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 8, ]S6'.'; mustered out Aug. 15, 1865. 

Hall, George, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 8, 1862; died at .lackson, Tenn., Oct. 30, 1862. 

Hainline, A. J., Colchester, cidisted Aug. 22, 1862: mustered out Oct. 15, 1865. 

Milbourne, William, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 14, ISCJ: mustered out Oct. 15, 1865, as corporal. 

McKenzie, William. Tennessee, enlisted Aug. 5, 1862; discharged ,lune5, 186:); woumls. 

Moore, .John J., Middletown, enlisti'd Aug. 11, 1862; discharged March 17, 1865; disability. 

Mourning, Francis M.. Tennessee, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; mustered out Aug. 15, 1865. 

Mumma, David, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 22, 1862; mustered out Aug. 15, 1865. 

Nelson, Eldridge C, Blandinsville, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; transferred to Invalid Corps, Aug. 10, 
18(54. 

Smith, John T., Colchester, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; mustered out Aug. 15, 1865. 

Smith, John, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; Deserted Jan. 29, 1863. 

Spieer, Benjamin F., Tenne.s.see, enlisted Aug. 14. 1862; mustered out Aug. 15, 1865, as corporal. 

Terrill, John, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 15, 1862: mustered out Aug. 15, 1865; corporal. 

York, John, Colchester, enlisted AUg. 8, 1862; deserted Jan. 29, 18(;3. 

Young, George M., Colchester, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; mustered out Aug. 15, 1865. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 23-") 

Burford, William J., Tennessee, enlisted Dec. Ifi, 186:^; transferred to 33d Illinois Infantrv mns- 
♦ tered out Nov. 2i, ISii'i. 

Delay, William 11., Tennessee, enlisted Dee. 16, 18ii3: transferred to 33d Illinois Infantry mustered 
out Not'. 24, 186.'). 

Delay, Jacob, Tennessee, enlisted Dec. IG, 1863; transferred to 33d Illinois Infantrv; mustered out 
Nov. 24, 1S(1.'>. 

Holton, .lolin W., Bethel, enlisted Dec. 16, 1863; transferred to 33d Illinois Infantry; mustered out 
Nov. J4, 1X6.'). 

Hutcninson, Albert H., Tennessee, enlisted Jan. 4. 1864; transferred to 33d Illinois Infantry mus- 
tered out Nov. 24, 1865. 

Huti; Francis M., Macomb, enlisted Fel). 25, 1864: transferred to 33d Illinois Infantry mustered 
out Nov. 24, 1865. 

Jarvis, Henry .M., Tennessee, enlisted Dec. 10, 1803; transferred to 33d Illinois Infantrv; mustered 
out Nov. 24, 1865. 

Jenkins, David, Macomb, enlisted Feb. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Illinois Infantry; mustered out 
Aug. 29, 1805, as corporal. 

Lowell, John H., Tennessee, enlisted Dec. 16, 1863; died at home, May 26 1865. 

Mitchell, Robert, Bushuell, enlisted Mar. 28, 1864; transferred to 3;M Illinois Infantry mustered 
out Nov. 24, 1865. 

Moore, John. Macomb, enlisted (Jet. 4. 1864; transferred to 33d Illinois Infantry; mustered out 
< >Ct. 4, 1865. 

Mammon, Henry J., Macomb, enlisted Jan. 10, 1865; transfei red to :i3d Illinois Infantry; mus- 
tered out Nov. 24, 1865. 

Pyle, William A., Bushnell, enlisted Mar. 28, 1864; transferred to 22d Illinois Infantry; mustered 
out Nov. 24, 1805. 

Richards, Jeseph H.. Macomb; enlisted Feb. 29, 1864; transferred to 33d Illinois Infantry mus- 
tered out Nov. 24, 1865. 

Richards, John T., Macomb, enlisted Feb. 29. 1864; transferred to 33d Illinois Infantrv; mustered 
out Nov. 2-1, 1865. 

Shannon, Walter, Bushnell; discharged Mav31, 1865, disability. 

Sulhvan Michael O.. Bushnell, enlisted Mar. 19, 1864; transferred to 33d Illinois Infantry; mus- 
tered out Nov. 21, 1805. 

Shannon, Edward, Bushnell, enlisted Mar. 28, 1864; transferred to 3:M Illinois Infantry; mus- 
tered out Nov. 24, 1865. 

Sheets, Ueorge R., Bushnell. enlisted Mar. 28, 1864; transferred to 33d Illinois Infantry; mustered 
out Nov. 24, 1805. 

Swigert Zaehariah, Bushnell, enlisted Mar. 29, 1864; transferred to 33d Illinois Infantrv; mus- 
tered out Nov. 24, 1805. 

Tvvitchel, Almond D., Macomb, enlisted Feb. 26, 1864; transferred to 33d Illinois Infantry; mus- 
t ;red out Nov. 24, 1865. 

Wear. James M., Lamoinc, enlisted Dec. 16. 1863; transferred to 33d Ihinois Infantrv; mustered 
out Nov. 24, 1865. 

COMPANY I. 

Captain Thomas K. Roach, Colchester, commissioned Sept. 10, 1862; resigned July 11, 1803. 
Captani Benjamin A. Griffith, Emmet, commissioned Julv 11, 1863; mustered out Aug. 15 1865 
hirst Lieutenant Elijah Barton, Emmet, commissioned July ], IfeOS; resigned June 25 1864 
Second Lieutenant James M. Griffith, Emiuet, commissioned March 3, J805; mustered out Aug 

lo, 1805. ° 

Sergeant James S. Shryack, Emmet, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; discharged Feb. 10, 1863; disabilitv. 

Corporal I homas O. Bugg, Emmet, enlisted Aug. 13, 1862; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps 
Oct. 28, 1863; sergeant. 

Corporal Milo Hobart, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 12, 1863; mustered out June 9, 1865; sergeant 

Corporal David T. Guy, Emmet, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; mustered out Aug. 15, 1865; sergeant 

Corporal \\ illiam B. Greenup, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; mustered out May 20, 1865 

Musician Milton J. Stokes, Emmet, enlLsted Aug. 22, 1862; discharged Dec. 10, 1803; disabilitv 

Bowers, Thomas .1., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 28, 1S62; deserted in 1862 

Browning, John W., Macomb, enlisted Aug. 28, 1862; mustered out Aug. 15, 1865. 

Bugg, Benjamin, Emmet, enlLsted Aug. 12, 1802; died at Memphis, Feb. 17, 1863. 

Bugg, S. A. Emmet, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862: mustered out Aug. 15, 1865; wounds. 

Campbell \ViliiamM., Emmet, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; mustered out Aug. 15, 1805; corporal. 

Duncan, William H., Colchester, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; mustered out Aug. 15, 1865. 

toley, Ihomas, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; mustered out Aug 1.5. 1862 

•orrest Henry T.. Colchester, enlisted Aug. 12, 1802: killed at Champion Hills, Mav 16, 186:5. 

I-oster, \\ illiam, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862: mustered out Aug. 15, 1865 

*-;".yv , *""*"'^"^ ^'•' '■-"imet, enlisted Aug. 12, 1802; died at Vicksburg, Julv 8, 1863. 

Griffith, Gary F. Emmet, enlisted Aug. 12, 1861; mustered out Aug. 15, 1805, as corporal. 

Hainline, Joseph H., Emmet, enlisted Aug. 12, 1802; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps 
•March l.y, lSb.i. '^ 

Harrison, Joseph D., Colchester, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps 
.>larch 1.-), 1864. 

Hawkins, William B.. Macomb, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862: musttred out June6, 1865, as corporal. 

Kennett, Jasper, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 13, 1801; died at Memphis, Feb. 11. 1863 

McCanley \\ni., Macomb, enlistca Aug. 12, 1802; mustered out Aug. 16. 1805, 

McDonald, Daniel, Co.chcstcr, enlisted Aug. 12, 1802; deserted Oct. 3, 1862. 

Murhn, William. Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; mustered out August 15, 1865. 

Murphy, George C, Macomb, enlisted August 22, 1802; mustered out August 15, 1805; iii Ander- 

Morris, Wm. C, Emmet, enlisted September 12, 1862 ; died at Oxford, Mis.s., Dec, 16, 1862. 

Overton, Joseph B., Emmet, enlisted Aug. 28. 1802 : mnsiercd out Aug 15, 1^65. 

FhilUps John C.. Emmet, enlisted Aug. 14, m\2: absent sick atinnsterout of regiment. 

Sypherd HavuisJ., Emmet, enlisted Aug. 12, 1.S62; died at home Dec. 27,1864. 

btokes Wesley S., EiMmet, enlisted Aug. 12, 1S02 ; mustered ovt August 15, 1865. as Sergeant. 

StodgiU, Isaac N., Emmet, enlisted Aug, 28, 1862; discharged Aug. 9, 1803: disabilitv ; died. 



236 HISTOKY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Teas, Joseph C, Emmet, enlisted Aug. 14, ISfVl ; mustered out Aug. 15, ISO'i, as Corporal. 

Wooley, Moses F., Colchester, enlisted August 14, 18()2 ; mustered out August 15, 18G5. 

Yard, Job., Kmmet, enlisted AuLjust JJ, 1S6J : mustered out August la, 18i)5. 

Creasey, Jolm, Hire, ni\isteR'il out August 15, 1HG5. 

Fullerton, Hiram, Sciota, enlisted March 29, 1864 ; transferred to 33d 111, Infantry ; mustered out 
November LM, 1S(;5. 

Foley, Jiinies M., Hire, enlisted February 26, 1864 ; transferred to 33d 111. Infantry ; mustered out 
Noveniber 24, 1x65. 

Gilbert, Hiunhard, Macomb, enlisted January 4, 18G4; transferred to 33d 111. Infantry ; mustered 
out August 2'.l, 1.S65. 

Gilbert, (ieorge (J., Macomb, enlisted January 4, 1864; transferred to 33d 111. Infantry; mustered 
out November 24, 1865. 

Gilbert, James R., Hire, enlisted February 15, 1865 ; transferred to 33d 111. Infantry; mustered 
out November 24, 1865. 

Gooding, Lyman, Macomb, enlisted February 4, 1864; transferred to 33d 111. Infantry!; mustered 
out November 24, 1865. 

Gritfin, Joseph F., Macomb, enlisted January 4, 1864; transferred to 33d 111. Infantry; absent 
without leave. 

Hainline, David L., Sciota, discharged Feb., 1863; disability. 

HawKins, Robert B., Macomb, enlisted Jan. 4, 1864; transferred to 33d 111. Infantry ; mustered 
out November 24, 1865. 

Ijovell, John N., Macomb, enlisted January 4, 1864 ; transferred to 33d 111. Infantry; mustered 
out November 4, 1865. 

Lovell, Charles W., Macomb, transferred to 33d 111. Infantry ; mustered out Nov. 24, 1865. 

McGraw, Calvin, Macomb, enlisted November 5,1863 ; transferred to 33d 111, Infantry : mustered 

Morton, George, Macomb, enliste<l Jan. 4, 1864 ; transferred to ;33d 111. Infantry; absent at muster 
out. 

Murphv, Luther, Sciota, enlisted Feb, 8, 1864; transferred to 33d 111. Infantrv ; mustered out 
Nov. 24, i865 : died. 

Rymer, John H,, Emmet, discharged August 9, 1863 ; disability. 

Sweeney, William O., Emmet, enlisted Feb. 4, 1864; transferred to3;M 111. Infantrv ; mastered out 
Nov. 24, 1865. 

Wariner, James, Sciota, mustered out Atig, 15, 1865. 

Burrows, William, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; mustered out Aug. 15, 186,5. 

Divine, Edwin, Macomb, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; mustered out May 22, 1865. 

Frost, Ephraim, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, Oct. 28, 
1863. 

Hannaford, Charles A., Colchester, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; Corporal; mustered out Aug. 15, 1865, 
as Sergeant. 

Hezlip, George P., Colchester, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; died July 13. 1863, wounds. 

Johnson, Amos B., Colchester, enlisted Aug. 15, 1862; died aiQuincy, 111., April 27, 186.5. 

Leake, Fennel. Colchester, enlisted Aug. 15, 1862; mustered out Aug. 15, 1865. 

Masten, Joel H., Colchester, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; promoted First Lieutenant; mustered out 
Aug. 15, 1865. 

Morgan, John H., Colchester; discharged June, 1865. 

Paulk, Alfred, Colchester, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; discharged for disability at Jackson, Teun. 

Silverston, William F., Colchester, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862; mustered out Aug. 15, 1865, as Corporal 

Williams, Sylvester L., Emmet; Corporal; transferred to 33d Illinois Infantry. 

ONE HUNDRED AND TIIIRTY-SEA'ENTH INFANTRY. 

ROSTER OF OFFICERS. 

P Lieutenant Colonel Thomas K. Roach, Colchester, commissioned June 5. 1S64; mustered out 
Sept. 24, 1864. 

Surgeon William A. Huston, Macomb, commissioned June 5, 1864; died at Memphis lune 25, 1864. 

Second Assistant Surgeon Robert G. Scroggs, Bushnell, commissioned June 9, 1864; mustered out 
Sept. 24, 1864. 

Acting Assistant Surgeon Benj. I. Dunn, Macomb, commissioned June 5, 1864; mustered out Sept. 
24. 1864 ; was prisoner. 

Principal musician James S. Carroll, Prairie Citv, enlisted June 5, 1864 ; mustered out Sept. 24, 
1864. 

COMPANY C. 

Captain Barzillia Veach, Tennessee, commissioned June 5, 1864 ; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

First Sergeant Thaddeus Huston, Maconih, enlisted May 2. 1864 ; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Sergeant .lames H. Krais, Teunes.see, enlisted Aiiril 29, 1864; mustered out May 21, 1865 ; prison- 
er of war. 

Corporal John B. Russell, Macomb, enlisted May 2, 18C4 ; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Corporal Fred. L. Lancev, Macomb, enlisted May 2, 1864 ; mustered out Sept. 24. 1864. 

Corporal James R. Bailey, MacomI-), enlisted May 2, 1864 ; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Corporal I'cter Mcintosh, Colchester, enlisted May 7, 1864 ; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Musician Charles Penrose, Macomb, enlisted May 17, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1861. 

Brooking, Edward S,, Macomb; killed while a prisoner, near .Memphis. 

Barber, George W., Colchester, enlisted Mav 2, 1.S6I : mustered fmtSept. 24, 1864. 

Brown, Lsaac N. P., Tennessee, enlisted May 2, 1864 ; transierred to Co. G, mustered out Sept. 24, 
1864. 

Cemmis, Samuel, Colchester, enlisted May 2, 1864 ; mustered out Sept. 24, 1861. 

Cord, Thaddens C., Macomb, enlisted May 17, 1864 ; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Chapman, Frank M., Macomb, enlisted May 2, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Darnell, Ilomar L., Macomb, enlisted May 2, 1864 , mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 



IILSTORY OF m'dO\OU(;H COUNTY. 237 

Dorothy, ArcUibald, Tennessee, enlisted May 2, 1804; transferred to Co. G, mustered out Sept. 
■24, 1804. 

Duncan, Jolm. Tennessee, enlisted May 2, 1804 ; mustered out Sept. 'J-i. 180t, as corporal. 

lOakie, Milton, Tennessee, enlisted April 2'.i, ISOi; mustered out May 2.'), 1.S05, prisoner of war, 

Essex, William, Tennessee, enlisted May 10, 1874; mustered out Sept. 24, 1804. 

Herron, Eli 1'., Colehestsr, enlisted May 2, 1804; mustered out Sept 24, 1S04. 

Hooker, Francis M., Colchester, enlisted May 2, 1804; mustered out Scjitember 24, 1804. 

Kious. .Jacob, Tennessee, enlisted April 29, 1804; prisoner of war at muster out of regiment. 

Lea, WilHam J., Macomb, enlisted May 2, 1S04; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Martin, .lohn, Macomb, enlisted May 2, 1804; mustered out Sept. 24, 1804. 

Miller, Edward M., Macomb, enlisted May 17, 1802. mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Moore. Joseph, Tennessee, enlisted May 18, 1864; mustered out September 22, 1864. 

Naylor, Albert, Jlacomb, enlisted May 17, 1804; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Nichols, ITenry P., Macomb, enlisted May 30, 1804; died at home Sept. 2, 1864. 

Roach, John M., Colchester, enlisted May 17, 1S04; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Runkle, Darius, Macomb, enlisted May 2, 18(;4, mustered out Sept. 24, 1854. 

Thompson, James, Colchester, enlisted May 2. 1804; prisoner of war at muster out of regiment. 
, I'pdegraff, Ambrose W., Macomb, enlisted May 2, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1804. 

COMPANY D. 

Captain John B. Johnson, Prairie City, commissioned June .'), 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

First Lieutenant James Robb, Prairie City, commissioned June 5, 1864; mustered out September 
24, 1804. 

First Sergeant Charles Broadbent, Prairie City, enlisted May 24, 1864; mustered out Sept, 24, 1864. 

Sergeant Palmer E. Hughson, Prairie City, enlisted May 24, 1864; promoted sergeant-major, mas- 
tered out Sept. 21, 1864. 

Sergeant Peter C Stire, Prairie City, enlisted May 24, 1864; mustered out September 34, 1804. 

Corporal James Tannehill. Walnut (Jnjve, enlisted May 4, 1804; mustered out Sept. 24, 1804, 

Corporal Orion H. Bliss. Prairie City, enlisted May 4, 1864; mustered out September 24, 1864. 

Corporal Henry C. King, Walnut Grove, enlisted May 4, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Corporal .lohn C. Dewey, Prairie City, enlisted May 4, 1804; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Alior;,'ast, Henry, Walnut Grove, enlisted May 4, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Boyle, William, Prairie City, enlisted May 4, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

<; iirrier, George D., Prairie City, enlisted Slay 4, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Collar, Allen J., Prairie City, enlisteil May 4, 1804; absent sick at muster out of regiment. 

l>avis, Albert W., Prairie City, enlisted May 4, 1804; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

]»rake, William P., Prairie City, enlisted May 4, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

EunK. Joseph H.. Prairie City, enlisted May 4, 1804; mastered out Sept, 24, 1804. 

Hull, Henry, Prairie City, enlisted May 4, 1804; mustered out Sept. 24, 1804. 

Kreider, Jacob, Prairie City, enlisted May 4, 1804; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

McI>onald, Isaac J., Prairie City, enlisted May 4, 1864; mustered out Sept 24, 1864, 

Murray, Arthur, Prairie City, enlisted May 4, 1804; mustered out Sept. 24, 1804. 

I Hvens. Alexander. Prairie City, enlisted May 4, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Painter, John W., Walnut Grove, enlisted May 4, 1804; mustered out Sept. 24, I.SOJ. 

Plotts, William L., Prairie City, enlisted May 4, 1801: mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

l;jiyi;i(incl. Simon, Prairie City, enlisted May 4, 1804; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Icoliinson, Hamilton, Prairie City, enlisted May 4, 1804; mustered out Sept. 24,1864. 

.Sackett, Solomon, Prairie City, enlisted May 4, l.'S04: mustered out Sei)t. 24, 1804. 

Sheley, Samuel, Prairie City, "enlisted Miiy I, 1804; died at Memphis, Sept. 1, 1804. 

Stantial, Christopher P., enlisted May 4, 1804; killed at Memphis, Ang. 21, 1804. 

COMPANY <;. 

First Li'^utJnant John M. Johnson, Tennessee, commissioned June 5, 1804; mustered out Sept. 24, 
1864. 

Adcock, George P., Bushnell, enlisted May 15, 1864; transferred to company I; mustered out Sept. 
24, 1864. 

AckersoD, Joseph, Bushnell, enlisted May 20, 1864; transferred to company I; mustered out Sept. 
24, 1804. 

Buck, George \V., Prairie City, enlisted May 4, 1864; transferred to companv D;;mustered out Sept. 
24, 18»)4. 

Carrier, Alonza E., Prairie City, enlisted May 4, 1864:. transferred to company D; mustered out 
Sept. 24. 1864. 

Crabtrce. Benjamin F., Bushnell, enlisted May 12, 1864: deserted May ;!0. 1864. 

Henrv, William J., Bushnell, enlisted May 2, 1864; transferred to company I; mustered out Sept. 
24. 1864! 

Jelison, Zimri, Macomb, enlisted May 17, 1864; transferred to company C; mustered out Sept. 24. 
1864. 

Jelison, John, >[acomb, enlisted May 2, 1864: transferred to company C; mustered out Sept. 24, 
18(V1. 

Johnson, Edward R., Tennessee, enlisted May 4, 1864; transferred to company C; mustered out 
Sept. 24, 1804. 

Mallam, Robert, Bushnell, eulisted May 10, 1864; transferred to company I; mu.stercd out Sept. 24, 
1864. 

Orr, John, Prairie Citv, enlisted May 4, 1864; transferred to company I); mustered out Sept. 24. 
18(34. 

Patrick, f'liarles, Colchester, enlisted May 2, 1864; transferred to company C; mustered out Oct. 
29. isoi: iirisoner of war. 

Scalf. William. Tennessee, enlisted May 2:?. 18(>4: mustered out Sept. 24.186$. 

Wolf, Jacob, Macomb, enlisted Mav vi, l.sOl; transferred to companv C; mustered out Sept. 24. 
1864. 



238 HISTORY OF M'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Wilstead, Thomas (J., Tennessee, enlisted Mav 2, ISIVI, transferred to company C; ranstercd ont 
Sept. 2\, l.S(;i. 
Wliittier, Luforest, Hushnell, enlisted May 20, 1864; deserted June 7, 18G4. 

COMPANY I. 

Captain NVilliam II. Oglesby, Bushuell, commissioned June ■'i, IStiJ: mustered out Sept 24, 1S64. 
first Lieutenant Andrew K. VN ilson, Bushnell, commissioned June 5,1864; mustered out Sept. 
24, 1864. 

Second Lieutenant James X. Porter, Bushnell, commissioned June a, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 
1864. 

First Sergeant Charles D. Hendrickson, Bushnell, enlisted June 5,1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 
1864. 

Sergeant James .\. Kyle, Bushnell, enlisted May 11, 1864; mustered out September 24, 1864. 

Sergeant James T. McDonald, Bushnell, enlisteii May 11, 1864 ; mustered out September 24, 1864. 

Corporal Edwin K. Dudley, Bushnell, enlisted May ll", 1864 ; mustered out Seplemljcr 24, 1864. 

Corporal Myron M. Myrick, Macomb, enlisted May 30, 1864 ; mustered out September 24, 1864. 

Corporal Jacob R. Dawson, Bushnell, enlisted May 11, 1864 ; mustered out May 23, 1865, prisoner 
of war. 

Corporal Silas W. Adcock, Bushnell, enlisted May 12, 1864 ; mustered out September 24, 1864. 

Corporal Samuel F. Sanders, Bushnell, enlisted May 12, 1864 ; mustered out May 11, 1865, priso- 
ner of war. 

Corporal Melton B. Chai)man. Bushnell, enlisted May 11, 1864 ; mustered out September 24, 1864. 

Austin, George W., Buslinell, enlisted ilay 11, 1864; raustered out Septemlier 24, 18M. 

Arnold, LewisC, Bushnell. enlisted May 13, 18'54 ; prisoner of war at mustering out of regiment. 

Ander.son, William H., Buslinell, enlisted May 11, 1864 ; mustered out September 24, 1864. 

AdaiBS, Charles K., Bushnell, enlisted May 13, 1864 ; mustered out September 24. 1864. 

Barnes, Asa L.. Bushnell, enli.sted May 12, 1864; mustered out April 19, 1864, prisoner of war. 

Barclay, James, Bardolph, cnlistefl May 20, 1864 ; mustered out September 24, 1864. 

Bennie, James, Macomb, enlisted May 20, 1864 ; mustered out September 24, 1864. 

Couch, William IL, Bushnell, enlisted May 12, 1864 ; mustered out September 24, 1864. 

Carroll, James S., Bushnell, enlisted May 14, 1864; promoted t>rincipal musician. 

Chambers, David, Bushnell, enlisted May 11, 1864 ; mustered ciut May 2.;, 1865, prisoner of war. 

Couch, James \V., Bushnell, enlisted May 11. 1864 ; mustered out September 24, 1864. 

Chaddock, James, Bushnell, enlisted May 12, 1864 : mustered out Septemljer24, 1864. 

Condon, Andrew L. , Bushnell, enlisted May 12, 1864 ; mustered out September 24, 1864, corporal . 

Clark, Wilbur C, Bushnell, enlisted May 12, 1864; rejected for disability. 

Davis, David A., Bushnell, enlisted May 12, 1864; mustered out May 23,1865, prisoner of war. 

Davidson, Samuel I., Bushnell, enlisted May 20, 1864; mustered oui'Sept. 21, 1864. 

Dancan, Isaac, Bushnell, enlisted Mav 12, 18M; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Folsom, Edgar .V,, Bushnell, enlisted May 13, 1864, deserted May ;W, 1864. 

Dinington, James R., Bushnell, enlisted .May 11, Istil; mustered out May 23, 1865; prisoner of war. 

Hogue, George P., Macomb, enlisted Mhv 13,' 1861; mustered out Sept, 24, 1864. 

Hensley, William J., Bushnell, enlisted May 12; mustered out ,^ept. 24, 1864. 

Harris, Henry IL, liushnell, enlisted May 11, 1864; died at Memphis, Sept. 1, 1864. 

Hageman, Charles W., Bu.shnell, enlisted Mav 20, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Jones, George T., Bushnell, eiihstyd May 12, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Keirns, William, Bushnell, enlisted May 13, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Little, John P,, Bushnell, enlisted May 14, 1864; mustered out May 26, 1865; prisoner of war. 

Lownes, Charles K,, Bushnell, enlisted Mav 11, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Lemaster, James L., Bushnell, enlisted Mav 11, 1864, mustered out Mav 8, 1865, prisoner of war. 

Laughlin, Edwin T., Macomb, enlisted Mav 20, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Martin, Jacob E., Bu.shnell, enlisted Mav 12, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Miller, Robert H., Bushnell, enlisted May 20; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Montague, Benjamin, Bushnell, Mav i:i, is(il; mustered out Mav 23, 1865, prisoner of war. 

Mills, William D., Bu.shnell,, enlisted Mav 12, 1864: mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

McGinnis, lohn F., Bardolph, enlisted M'av 20, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Overman, John W., Bushnell, enlisted, Mav 20, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24. 1864. 

Pottenger, James H., Bushnell, enlisted Mav 12, 1864; mustered out Sept, 24, 1864. 

Porter, Lester W., Bushnell, enlisted Mav 11; Lieutenant: killed at -Memiiliis, Aug. 21, 1864. 

Pennell, William J., Bushnell, enlisted M"av 20, 1864: mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Pearson, Joseph A., Bushnell, enlisted Mav 14, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Prindle, Chauncey R., Bushnell, enlisted Mav 20, 1864: uiustered out Sept. 4, 1864. 

Purkey, William, Macomb, enlisted Mav 20, 1864; musteied out Sept 24, 1864. 

Pugh, John W , Bushnell, enlisted May20, 1864: rejected lor disability. 

Ratekin, IWilliiim IL, Buslinell, enlisted Mav 12, 1864. mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Rodecker, William, II. , Bushnell, enlisted May 12; 1864; mustered out June 6, 1865', prisoner of 
war. 

Shreves, Milton, Bu.shnell, enlisted Mav 20, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Scrutchlicld, James A,, Bushnell, enlisted May 20, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Sherman, Abraham, Bushnell, enlisted Mav 12, 1864; mustered out Mav 23, 1865; pri.sonerof war. 

Sinick, William A,, Bushnell, enlisted Mav 13, 1861; mustered out Sept.' 24, 1864. 

Spencer. William A,, Bushnell, enlisted Jlav 12, 1864: mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Steel, James. Bushnell, enlisted Mav 12, lsti4: mustered out Seiit. 24, 1864. 

Toland, Stephen, Bushnell, enlisted Mav 12, 1861: mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

■Walker, James II. , Bushnell, enlisted Mav 12, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

AVest, Martin, Bushnell, enlisted Mav2(», "l864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Woolley, Lewis B., Bushnell, enlisted .Mav 11. 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

WheHer, Isaac D,, Bushnell, enliste<l May 12, 1864; mustered out Sept. 24, 1864. 

Wyehoir, Daniel L,, Bushnell, enlisted Mav 11, 1864; prisoner of war at muster out of regiment. 

"Wells, D;ivid L., lUishiiell, enlisted .May 20", 1864; mustereil out Sept, 24, 1864, 

Wilson, .Nelson .M,, Macomb, enlisted .May 20, 1864: mustered out May 23. 1S65: prisoner of war. 

Walker, Robert A., Macomb, enlisted May 20, 1864; mustered out Seji't, 24, 1864. 



HISTORY OF m"D0N0U(;H COUNTY. 239 

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FIRST INFANTRY. 

COMPANY C. 

Captain George C. Stcach, ISnshncll. conniiissidneil Vvh. 2r,. ]sf>:i; rfsifiiied .Iiiiic 23, I8C5. 

Captain James L. Cocliran, Macomb, commissidned July l.s, lS<i.".; mustered out Jan. 2-1, 1866. 

First Lieutenant Harvey T. Oreg;,', Industry, eommissioned Oet. I, l.sti'); di>-cliargcd June 20, 186'). 

(iuartermiister Ser^'eant Isaiali L.Bailey, Tenne.ssee; mustered out Jan. 2-1, 1860. 

Commissary Sergeant Zimri M. I'arvin, Scotland ; mustered out Jan. 2-4, 18C6. 

Hospital Steward Wiley C. Langford, Mound: mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Sergeant William H. Parrish, Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. as .ser- 
geant. 

Sergeant Hcnrv Arbogast, Bushnell, cnli.stcd Feb. 19, 18(;5; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Corporal John'll. Dixon, Industry, eidisted Feb. 15. 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866, as sergeant. 

Corporal Thomas K, Ritenour, Macomb, enlisted Feb. 14. 1865; died at Columbus, Ga, Sept. 16. 
1865. 

Corporal .lohn \V. Painter, Macomb, (Milisted Feb. 15, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Corporal Ahruham Artliurs, I'rairie City, ciilisteii Feb. '.», 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Corporal KoUins Wliittlesy, Bushnell, enlisted Feb, 9, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Corporal John II, Snook, Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 9, l<s65; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Corporal Charles E, Blackburn, Macomli, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Musician WilberC. ('lark, Macomb, enlisted Feb. 15, 1S65; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Musician Richard Hillyer, Macomb, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Wagoner James S. Kershaw, Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Adams, Albert J., Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; mustered out Jan 24. 1866. 

Atkinson, William II., Macomb, enlisted Feb. 14, 1865 ; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866, as musician. 

Broaddus, John R., Macomb, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865 ; mustered out Jan, 24, 1866. 

Brink, Stephen, Prairie City enlisted Feb. 15, 1865 ; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Boyer, Silas M., Macomb, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865 ; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866, as bugler. 

Beaver, Francis M,, Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; mustered ont Jan. 24, 1866. 

Chapman, Henry, Macomb, enlisted Feb. 16, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Campbell, Murray L., Colchester, enlisted Feb, 10, 1865; transferred to Co. H, mustered out Jan. 
24. 1866. 

Cottrell, William J., Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 9, 1865 ; mustered out January 24, 1866. 

Collier, Thomas, Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865 ; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866, 

Carter, George W., Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Davidson, Ezikie C, Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866, 

Davidson, Garrett, Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865 ; mustered out Sept. 21, 1865. 

Dean. Thomas W., Industry, enlisted Feb. 14, 1865 ; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Dace, John, Macomb, enlisted Feb. 16, 1865 ; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Gray, James A., New Salem, enlisted Feb. 14, 1865 ; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Greenwell, Francis M., Industry, enlisted Feb. 14, 1865; Deserted Aug. 1, 1865. 

Gadden, Cyrus J., Industry, Feb. 15. 1865 : mustered out Sept. 1, 1865. 

Hinesman, William, Prairie City, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865 ; deserted Aug. 1, 1865. 

Hickman, Byard, Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 15,1865; deserted Ai;g. 1, 1865. 

Hudson, Washington W,, Macomb, enlisted Feb, 15, 1865. 

Iseman, David, Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865 ; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Jellison, John, Macomb, enlisted Fel), 18, 1865; mustered out Jan, 24. 18()6. 

Johnson, Joseph, Industry, enlisted Feb 14. 1865; died at Dalton, Ga., May 1865. 

Leighty, Henry, Bushnell, enlisted Feb, 17, 1865; mustered out Jan, 24, 1866, lus corporal. 

Lester, Calvin, Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865 ; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Langley, Barnett W,, Bushnell, Feb. 15, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

lyHtighlin, Edwin F., Macomb, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Miller, Charles C, Macomb, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; mustered out Ian. 24, 1866. 

Moore, James W,, Industry, enlisted Feb, 14, 1865; deserted Aug. 1, 1865. 

Muckey. (ieorge W., Bushnell, Feb. 1.5, 1865; deserted Aug. 1. 186.5. 

Montgomery. John, Macomb, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866, as corporal. 

Martin, John B., Macomb, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; mustered out Jau, 24, 1866, as corporal. 

Mariner, (Jeorge, Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; mustered out Jan 24, I8(i6, as corporal. 

Meyer, Benjamin F., Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 15, l,si')5; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Markham, Byron, Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866, as corporal. 

McBlvain, George II., Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865: mustered out Jsn. 22, 1866. 

Marsh, Gilbert 11., .Macomb, enlisted Feb. 9, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

McLaren, John, Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 15. 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Nickerson, David A. or H., Macomb, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; mustered otit Jan. 24, 1866. 

Nash, Andrew W., Prairie 'City, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; deserted Aug. 1, 1865. 

Pierson, Thomas, Prairie City, enlisted Feb: 17, 1865; mustered ont Jan. 24, 1866. 

Pittsinliurgen, Martin, Prairie City, enlisted Feb. 15, 1S65: mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Steel, William. Industry, enlisted Feb. 14, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Sperling, Robert B., Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 15, l.s65; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. as corporal. 

Seatler, .Mliver P,. Bardoliih, enlisted Feb" 15, 1865; absent sick at muster out of regiment. 

Travis, James, .Macomb, enlisted Feb, 15, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866, as musician. 

Titlsworth, John M., Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 15, l.s65; mustered out Jan 24, 1866. 

Towers, Henry J,, Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 15, 1,S65; deserted March 7, 1865. 

Thomi)son, John W., enlisted Feb. 17, 1877; mustered out Jan. 21, ^SCS. 

Thoin|ison, Chas. L., Colchester, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, ls66. 

Weisbrod, George, Colchester, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Weisl^rod, .\ugust, Colcliester. Feb; 15, iMi,'); died at Indianapolis, Ind,, Mar. 1. 1865. 

Whittier, Laforrest, Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 9, 1.S65; musterc(i ont Jan. 21, 1866. 

Wenkler, Leojiold, Bushnell, enlisted Feb. 15, l,s(i5; mustered ont Jan 21, 1866. 

Waid, John J., Industry, enlisted Fel). 14, ].'^65: mustered out .Ian, 24, l.s66. 

Wolf, Dallas, Macomb, enlisted Feb. 17, 1865; mustered out Jan 24, 18ri(i. 

Barry, Rol)ert, Macomb, enlisted Feb. 20, 18r,5; mustered out Jan 24, 1866. 

Cord, Thaddeus C, Macomb, enlisted Feb. 20, 1865: mustered out Jan. 24. 1860. 



240 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

COMPANY H. 

Corporal Richard N. Pearson, Tennessee, enlisted Feb. IC, 18(55: inustered out Jan. 24. 1866. 
Brown, Edwin F., i^ciota, enlisted Feb. 17, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 18(16. 
Campbell, Samuel A., Chalmers, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865: mustered out Jan. 24, ISfifi. 
Carstens, Anthony \V., Tennessee, enlisted Feb. 16, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1806. 
Crawford, Jamis, i:idorail<(. enlisted Feb. 18,1865; deserted Feb. 18, 18(55. 
Robert, Lewis, Sriotii, enlisted Feb, 18, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 
Humberd, John P., Sciota, enlisted Feb. 18, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 
Kennedy, John, Seiota, enlisteil Fel). is, 1865: deserted Feb 18, 1865. 
MeDermitt, Michael, Sciota, cnlistcit Feb. is, 1,S(;5; deserted Feb. 18, 186.5. 
McGuire, John. Sciota, enlisted Feliniarv is, i,s(;5: deserted Februarv is, 186.5. 
McCormick, William, .Sciota, enlisted l^'chruary IS, 1865; deserted February 18, 1865. 
McPherson, George, Blandinsville, enlisted February 17, 1865; deserted February 17, 1865. 
Maxwell, William, Sciota, enlisted February 18, 1865; mustered out January 24, 1866. 

COMPANY I. 

Corporal Buchanan Ellis, Blandinsville, enlisted February 16, 1865 ; mustered out Jauuary 24 
1866. 
Bacon, Daniel, Blandinsville, enlisted February 16, 1865 ; mustered out January 24, 1866. 
Cochran, Asbury C, Walnut Grove, enlisted February 14, 1865 : mustered out January 24, 1866. 
Cowdry, Spencer, New Salem, enlisted February 16, 1885 ; mustered out January 24, 1866. 
Cook, Robert, Blandinsville, enlisted February 16, 1865 ; mustered out January 24, 1866. 
Dorset. Harrison, New Salem, enlisted February 16. 18(55; mustered out January 24, 1866. 
Graham, lluiih, ISbunlinsvillc, enlisted l''ebruary 1865 ; mustered out January 24, 1865. 
Hudson, Washington, Hire, enlisted February 15, 1865: mustered out January 24, 1866. 
Herriuks, Almerin, New Salem, enlisted February 16, 1865 ; mustered out September 8, 1865. 
Hall, Avory, Blandinsville, enlisted February 16, 1865 ; died at Nashville, March 7, 1865. 
Hearns, Hiram :H., Hire, enlisted February 15, 18()5; mustered out January 24, 1866. 
Kelsy, John S., Hire, enlisted February 15, 1865: deserted August S, 1865. 
Mower, Francis M., Blandinsville. enlisted February 16, 1865; deserted February 24, 1865. 
Nutt, John, Hire, enlisted February 15, 1865 ; mustered out January 24, 1866. 
Pickins, William A., New Salem, eiilisted February 16, 1865 ; mustered out January 24, 1866. 
Pryor, Timothy, New Salem, enlisted February 16, 1865; mustered out January 24, 1866. 
Roach, Elam A., New Salem, enlisted February 16, 1865 ; mustered out January 24, 18(56. 
Robertson, John W., Blandinsville. enlisted February 16, 18(55 ; ra*t3stered out January 24, lS6t). 
Robertson, Barton, Bhlndin^vilk■. enlisted February K'l. isnr>; mustered out January 24, 1866. 
Strueker, Joseph. New Salem, eidisted February ](i[ ISiifi ; mustered out Jauuary 24, 18(56. 
Whitston. Abijah, New Salem, enlisted February 16, liSG5 ; mustered out January 24, 1866. 

COMPANY K. 

Allen, John, Enamet, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; deserted Feb. 24,1865. 

Burrows, Joseph, Walnut Grove, enlisted Feb. 14, 1865; deserted Feb. 24, 1865. 

Caldwell, John, Emmet, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; deserted Feb, 24, 18(55. 

Cooper, Robert. Indtistry, enlisted Feb. 14, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Evans, Job J., Mound, eiilisteil Fel>. 15, 18(55; mustered out Oct. 19, 1865. 

F'arrell, Michael, Emmet, enlisted Fel). 15, 1865; deserted Feb. 24, 1865. 

Farrier, James, Emmet, enlisted Feb. 18, 1865; mustered out January 24. 1866. 

Hunsaker. James, Mo\ind, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Hall. George A., Fmmct, enliste<l Feb. 10, 186.5: deserted Feb. 24. 1.S65. 

Lovitt, Th(nnas, Walnut Grove, enlisted Feb. 14, 1S65; deserted Feb. 24, 1865. 

O'Brien, John, Walnut Grove, enlisted Feb. 14, lst;5; deserted Feb. 24, 1865. 

Pike, John, Emmet, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; deserted Feb. 24, 1865. 

Robertson or Roberts, John, Sciota, enlisted Fel). 15, 1865; mustered out, Jan. 24, 1866. 

Toner, John, Walnut Grove, enlisted P'eb. 14, 1865; deserted Feb. 24. 1865. 

Fpton, Charles W., Walnut Grove, enlisted Feb. 14, 18(55; mustered out Jan. 24, 1866. 

Wallace, Benjamin, Emmet, enlisted Feb. 15, 1866; deserted Feb; 24, 1865. 

White, Thomas, Emmet, enlisted Feb. 15, 1865; deserted Feb. 24, 1865. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Henry J. Faulkner, Bardolph, enlisted in the Second California Cavalry. 

James Depoy, Company A, 54th Ohio; wotinded. 

Peter Coon. "Company H 125th Illinois infantry; discharged Jan. 22, 1863. 

The following men were in Company A 12th Illinois Infantry. They were mustered in United 
States service, in Oct., 18(54, and mustered out July Id. iscri; Alexander Cochran, Hire; Samuel 
Godfrey, Chalmers; (ieorge W. Jones, New Salem; William Stark, Walnut Grove; Wra. B. Naylor, 
Macomb. 

Dr. B. A. Duncan, Company A i:j8th Illinois Yolunteers, enlisted May 5, 1864; mustered out Oct. 
34, 1864. 

Cyrus F. Butler, New Salem, Company C Engineer Regiment of Missouri; died October 18, 1861, 
at Ft. Laramie. 

The following men were in Company B, First Engineer Regiment of the West, and enlisted from 
Prairie Citv in 1861, and were mustered out Aug. lil, 18(54. They were mustered in as Missouri vol- 
unteers anil therefore not (Te<lited to this State: DeWitt C. Folsom, Isaac Y. Folsom, Sylvester 
Davie. Altwood Davie, Oliver llalternian, Benjmnin Benedict, A. J. DeHass, Daviil Stoleup (died 
of wounds at ChattauoogA), David Cooper, Joseph Hatfield, James Snyder, Joseph White, Yincent 
Tallv, John Clarrey (died at St. Louis), Wm. Flannagan, Windell Burdell, Wm. Spunagle, Daniel 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 241 

Sp\inapl'>, Jacob Siiuiingle, Benjamin K. Hoover. Wm. G. Fatten (formerly First Lieutenant and 
promoted to Captain after the resignation of DeWitt C. Folsom), Peter Moore, Oliver Moore, Frank 
Lamb, Kichard A. Mnlony. 

H. H. Stevens, mustered into the 5th California Infantry at Sacramento, Cal., Oct. 21, 1801, as 
private; promoted to 1st Sergeant: then to 2nd Lieutenant, and then to 1st Lieutenant; and for 
"distinguished gallantry " in battle with the Apache Indians, was commissioned Brevet Captain; 
was transferred to First California Veteran Infantry, and mustered out at Sunte Fe, New Mexico, 
in November, It^Oii. 

UNITED STATES VETERAX V0LU:N'TEERS. 

COMPANY A. 

McConncU, William J., Prairie City, enlisted Feb. 15, 1805; mustered out Feb. 14, 1S66, 

COMPANY K. 

Vanderraint, Daniel, New Salem, enlisted April 12, 1S65. 

Begg, Matthew. Macomb, 5Sth Infantry, enlisted Oct. 19, 1861; ded at Cairo, Oct. 13, 18C3. 

Smith, Joliu O., Bushnell, 102d Infantry; mustered out June C, 1805. 



242 HrsTORY OF m'doxough county 



CHAPTER XIX. 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS. — MARKIX(i STOCK. 

In order to show the conilicting opinions of the early settlers 
of this county we subjoin the following first impressions formed 
of the country as they have narrated them to us, and in their own 
words : 

Certainly as fine a country as ever was seen. But not timber 
enough, even to fence it. Salem Woods. 

A perfect paradise to look at but not favorable to malvc a liv- 
ing. Richard Pennington. 

I thought it splendid. Thought it the richest land I ever saw. 

Geo. G. Guy. 

Thought it a mighty poor place to stop at. Thought it never 
would be settled up in the workl. Wm. J. Jackson, 

Thought it never would be settled up only around the timber. 

Ciias. W. Greenup. 

Thought I had settled on the frontier, and would always have 
an outlet. Charles Creel. 

Thought it a grand country. Samuel McCray. 

Thought if I lived a year I would go back to Indiana, sure. 

John Ledgerwood. 

I always admired it; thought it a healthy climate. 

Nelson Campbell. 

Did not fancy the location. Andrew Allison. 

Have a good opinion of it ; fine county; land rich, would all 
be settled. Wm. Moore. 

Got tired of the county in one year. I went to Iowa, but was 
awful glad to get back. Joshua Simmons. 



Corn-stalks looked small. Discouraging. 



S. C. Simpson. 



HISTORY OP^ m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 243 

Xo question about the richness of the soil. 

AViLLiAM McKamy. 
I ^VilS wonderful lioniesick. Thought it a dreary place until 
next summer, when everything was pleasant. 

M. C. Foster. 
Didn't like it very well. J. AV. Fugate. 

Thought I would never live to see it settled up, for it wouldn't 
be for a hundred years. Abraham Powers. 

T thougbt the country very good and liked it well, but it was 
rather cold. Miss Mary Yocum. 

Thought it was a bully country. J. E. I). Hammer. 

Thought it was a good farming country, but not enough timber 
to fence it. Silas Creel. 

I thought it very pretty to look at, but no timber., The prairies 
were beautiful, all covered with flowers. 

Benjamin F. Xaylor. 
Thought the land would never be taken up. 

W. F. Wayland. 
We suppose we could not live two miles from timber, for it 
would be too cold. John N. Dunsworth. 

Thought it a terrible wild country. 

Josiah S. Hamilton. 
Fretty cold. Didn't like it at first. Moses Foster. 

Didn't think much of the country; thought everything burned 
off of the prairie. Mrs. Catherine Fainter. 

Thought it a pretty wild affair. G, W. Thompson. 

Xot very favorably impressed; hard times; big snow fell on the 
fourth of October, 1881. J. S. Campbell. 

I liked it first rate. Samuel Morrow. 

Having traveled a good deal, the impression was good ; much 
better tban Morgan or Sangamon counties. 

Samuel K. McClure. 
Good. Admired the appearance of the country. Did not like 
the sudden changes of the weather. Gideon Waters, 

Awful sick of it. Used to pray to be back in old Pennsyl- 
vania. Ellis Crane. 
Thought it as good as could be. James N. Jackson. 

Thought pretty well of it. Pretty wild tbough. 

James Filton. 



244 HISTORY OF m'donouc;h county. 

Didn't think the Hat prairies would ever be settled. 

AViLLiAM L. Wilson. 

Thought it a wild world of Indians and wolves. 

Mrs. Lokixa Banks. 

The country looked mighty wild and desolate. 

Thomas F. Wilson. 

Darndest, meanest country I ever heard of. J. H. Head. 

The country looked terrible gloomy. Nathaniel Mustain. 
Thought it the prettiest country in the world. But never ex- 
pected the prairies would be settled. ISTathaniel Grigsby. 
Thought it a very good country. Wiilliam D. Mustain. 
It looked mighty gloomy, William Hardesty. 
Didn't like cold^weather. Pretty dismal looking country. 

Hugh Conners, 

I thought it the garden spot of the world. David Seybold. 

Thought it devilish cold, but a good country. 

John O. C. Wilson. 

In the earlier days all stock was permitted to run at large, and 
in order that one might distinguish his or her property, a mark 
was placed upon the animal, and a record of the same made in the 
County Clerk's office at Macomb. The following are specimens 
of the same taken from the old records : 

William Job records his mark as follows, to-wit: A crop ofl of 
the left ear and a swallow fork in the right ear. This second day 
of September, 1830. 

John Ilardesty records his mark as follows : A small crop off 
of the left ear. Oct. 6, 1830. 

James Clark records his mark as follows : A crop off of and 
an under bit in right ear, and a split in the left ear. Dec. 8, 1830. 

Daniel Campbell records his mark as follows : A small crop 
and an under bit out of the right ear, and an open bit in the left 
ear. May 16, 1831. 

William Osborn records his mark as follows: An under half 
crop in each ear. June 10, 1831. 

AVilliam Pennington records his mark as follows : A crop and 
an under bit in the right, and a crop and slit in the left ear. July 
16, 1831. 



HISTORY OF M'l)ONOU(iH COUKTY 245 

Elias McFadden records his mark, to-wit : A crop oft" of the 
right and an under bit in the left ear, and his brand, M. C. and 
Hour dealers. Aug. 2, 1831. 

Robert Grant records his mark, to-wit : A crop, a slit, and an 
under bit in the left ear. Feb. 4, 1832. 

.James Head records his mark and brand, viz: A smooth crop 
otfof the right and an under bit in the left ear, and his brand, J. 
If. May 12, 1832. 

Peter S. Wood records his mark, viz : A square crop off of the 
left and a hole in the same ear, and a square crop off of the right 
ear. Oct. 6, 1832. 

Salem AVoods records his mark, viz : A crop and hlit in each ear. 
Jan. 28, 1883. 

John Cannon records his mark, viz: A smooth crop oft of the 
left ear and an over bit in the same, and an over bit in the right 
ear. Dec. 18, 1834. 

Daniel Seybold records his mark, viz : A crop off of both ears and 
an under bit in the left, and a slit in the right ear. May 30, 1835. 

Levi Hamilton records his mark as follows, viz : A crop off of 
each ear, and a slit on each ear and an under slit in the left ear, 
September 5, 1835. 

Willis A^"ayland record his mark viz : A crop and two slits in the 
left and an under bit in the right ear. December 31, 1836. 

James Vest, records his mark as follows : A crop off of each 
oar and a slit in the right. November 23, 1838. 

John W. McCord records his mark as follows : A crop and an 
under bit and a split in the left ear and an under bit and a split 
in the right ear. June 7, 1838. 

Samuel llumberd records his mark, viz : A slope to a point in 
each ear. January 29, 1839. 

Samuel C. Dew^ey records his mark, viz : The left ear cut en- 
tirely off from his jaw and a long slit in the right hind leg, also, 
a brand next side to the fence. March 9, 1839. 

Lewis Mason his mark, viz : A hole and a slit. January 12, 
1839. 

Timothy Kobinson records his mark, viz : Two slits in the left 
ear and a half penny in the underside of the ri2:ht ear, June 2, 
1845. 

i(— IG 



246 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

James Greenvvill records bis mark as follows, viz : An under 
slope on under side of each ear, both ears foxed to a sharp point 
on the under side of the ears. August 13, 1873. 

Jeremiah Sullivan records bis mark as follows, to-wit : J^etter 
S on the left side of the rump, ear mark ; a crop off the right ear 
and a split in the left ear. 1854. 

Nancy llyan records her mark as follows : Cattle branded on 
both horns with the letters IST. R., and a split on the side of the 
right ear, the wrong side of the K turned down, and the N at the 
top of the horn. Hay mark: A split on the top of the right ear 
and a crop off the top of the ear with a notch on the side of the 
left ear and the tail cut short, lives in Colchester. March 3, 1858. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 247 



CHAPTER XX. 

NEW COURT HOUSE AND JAIL. 

At the September term, 1868, of the Board of Supervisors a 
resolution was adopted setting forth that it was the sense of the 
Board that steps should at once be taken for the erection ot a nev*^ 
court house. For some twelve or fourteen years the question of a 
building better suited to the wants of the county had been agi- 
tated, but no definite action taken. Almost every grand jury 
during that time condemned the old building as being insecure 
and a disgrace to the county, but the Board of Supervisors had 
not the nerve to say, we will build. 

In May, 1863, James M. Campbell, Esq., was appointed by the 
Board to confer with the Council of the city of Macomb in refer- 
ence to the subject of a new building, the Board being of the 
opinion that '"the city ought to contribute liberally in the con- 
struction of a new court house." At the September meeting of 
the Board Mr. Campbell reported, and a communication was also 
received from a special committee appointed by the council de- 
clining to take action in the matter at that time for certain reasons 
therein set forth. The communication from the City Council was 
answered, setting forth the necessity for a new court house and 
stating that nothing would be done unless the city should do its 
part. A small sum of money was offered at this session of the 
Board for the best plan of a new court house, and at its next ses- 
sion in December, 1863, W. C. McLeod, being the only person re- 
sponding, was allowed the amount. 

At the September term, 1864, a resolution was passed request- 
ing our member of the Legislature to have an act passed author- 
izing the county to issue bonds to the amount of fifty thousand 
dollars for the purpose of applying the same toward the said 
building. 



248 HISTORY OF M"DONOU(iH COrNTV. 

At the March term, 18G5, the P)oar(l appointed a committee of 
three to confer witli a like committee appointed by the Council 
of the city of Macomb in reference to the location of the proposed 
building. JSTo further action was taken in the matter until the 
September meeting of tlie Board in the year 1868, when Super- 
visor Taylor, of Industry, offered the following resolution : 

Whekeas. It is apparent to all candid-minded men that the safety of our land records, 
npon which the title to the land of all our citizens rests, and of the records of both our 
Circuit and County Courts, as well as the Board of Supervisors, upon the preservation of 
which depends vast public and private rights of the whole body of the people of the 
county, now rendered the more striking from their narrow escape from destruction by 
the elements, and the dilapidated and crumbling condition of our present court house ; 
by many deemed not only unsafe for the people to meet in while the courts are being 
held, but, as all know, wholly inadequate to accommodate the jui'ors and others connected 
with the administration of justice, absolutely demands the laying aside all local feeling and 
prejudice, but acting solely upon a high sense of duty to the people of the whole county 
that we should at once proceed to take the necessary steps to build a court house adequate 
for the wants of the large and daily increasing population of our county, and a safe 
depository of its public records and archives ; therefore, 

Jiesolred. That it is the sense of this Board that measures be taken at its present 
meeting to secure, with as little delay as possible, the building of a suitable court house 
in this county. 

Supervisor AN'^hite submitted the following resolution, which 
was likewise adopted : 

ItcHolved. That this Board appoint L. G. Keid a committee to procure plans and speci- 
fications for the erection of a new court house in McDonough county, and the probable 
cost of the same : and to confer with the City Council of Macomb, or others, for the 
purpose of knowing the amount said city or others will appropriate to build said house ; 
and to report to this Board, at an adjourned meeting of said Board, to he held on the first 
Monday in October next, at one o'clock P. M. 

A feeling existed among the members of the Board that the 
city of Macomb should contribute largely toward the erection ot 
the proposed building. At this adjourned meeting, held in Oc- 
tober, Supervisor Mustain submitted the following resolution, 
which was passed by the ]^)0ard : 

liesolned, That this Board refuse to erect a Court House in the city of Macomb until 
.said city become legally obligated to donate in aid of the const ruction of the same twenty 
thousand dollars. 

The committee appointed by the Jknird to confer with the City 
Council of the city of Macomb, met with that body and presented 
their report. The Couticil voted to donate the sum of fifteen 
thousand dollars, and refused to advance above that a single dol- 
hir. The ]>oard of Supervisors still maintained they would do 
nothing in relation to the building until the city complied with 
its demands. The city of Bushnell Avas endeavoring to effect the 
removal of the county seat to that point, and many of the citizens 



IILSTORY OK m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 249 

ot Macomb became fearful thej would succeed. At tbis juncture, 
2^. r. Tiusley, Esq., went before tbe City Council of Macomb and 
offered to assume the payment of tbe extra live thousand dollars 
demanded by the County Board, giving his obligation to the city 
for that amount, provided the city would accede to the demands 
of the Board to donate the amount of twenty thousand dollars. 
I'^pon the eighth day of October, 18(58, the following agreement 
was made and signed by the respective parties : 

This agreement made this eighth day of October, 1868, between the city of Macomb, 
McDonough county, Illinois, by Joseph P. Updegraff. Mayor, and William E. Withrow, 
Clei-k t)f said city, agents of said city, duly appointed by the city council of said city 
for this purpose, and the county of McDonough aforesaid, by J. B. Kyle, Chairman, ap- 
pointed the agent of the Board of Sui)ervisors of said county for the said purjiose of 
the second part, witnesseth, that, whereas, the Board of Supervisors of said county have 
in contemplation the erection of a court house and jail for said county, and the parties 
herein having had mutual propositions involving the location of said house on certain 
conditions in the city of Macomb aforesaid which have been accepted by the parties, it 
is hereupon agreed as follows, to-wit : That the Board of Supervisors will erect a court 
house in the city of Macomb at such point as the said Board may determine, with which 
the said Board may, if they see fit, combine a jail for said county, the said court house 
with or without said jail to cost not less than seventy-five thousand dollars, and to be un- 
dertaken and completed in a reasonable time. It is moreover agreed that the said Board 
shall at this present session levy, and when the ordinary taxes for said county are col- 
lect^ed for the current year, they shall cause to be collected towards the erection of said 
V)uilding the sum of one per cent, on the assessed property of said county. Also it is 
agreed that they shall take steps to carry forward the said building as fast as the late- 
ne.ss of the season, and the extent of the enterprise will reasonably allow. 

In consideration of said agreement it is also hereby agreed on the part of said city 
that there shall be paid by the said city to the said county for said purpose, in addition 
to the share of taxe,s laid by the said Board on the property in the said city, the sum of 
twenty thousand dollars, in three equal payments : the first, on the first day of May, 
18t)9 ; the second, on the first day of May, 1870 ; and the third, on the first day of May, 
1871. 

It is also agreed that should the said city pay the whole or any part of said moneys in 
manner as agreed, and the said Board for any cause should fail to complete the said 
house in a reasonable time, or should abandon the enterprise, that whatever the said city 
may have advanced in the enterprise shall be refunded to the city : provided, howevfi; 
this "reasonable time" is not to be construed so as to hurry the said Board faster than a 
due regard to the quality of the building, the extent of the building, and the ordinary 
mode of erecting similar buildings of good grade in other counties of the State, will 
allow. 

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our. hands and seal, the day and year just 
above written. 

J. P. UPDEGRAFF, 

Mayor of the city of Macomb. 
W. E. WITHKOW, 

Clerk of the city of Macomb. 
J. B. KYLE, 
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of McDonough county. Illinois. 



250 HISTORY OF m'donough county. 

Tliis settled the question of the erection of a new Court House. 
L. G. Reid, in behalt'of the county, advertised for pLans and spcci- 
lications, and in due time one submitted by E. E. Myers, of 
Springfield, Illinois, was adopted. Rooms were rentedin Bailey's 
new block, on the northeast corner of the square, for county offi- 
ces, and the offices were at once removed thereto. The work of 
demolishing the old building began, and the lot cleared for the 
erection of a building that would l)e an honor to the progressive 
county of McDonough. 

On the twenty-ninth of December following, at an adjourned 
meeting of the Board, bids were opened for building the Court 
House, according to the plans and specifications agreed upon. 
The following comprised the number and the amounts bid : 

B. F. Biishiiell & Co $160,000 

Deakman & Messenger 165,768 

D. J. Silver 147,500 

Same (modified) 133,650 

A. Walbaum & Co 156,000 

Mahannah & Dey 125,000 

W. A. Williamson 146,300 

C. R. Underwood & Bro 15'.>,250 

Same (modified) 141,000 

Martin & Thomas 145,000 

W. D. Richardson 140,000 

Same (modified) 142.600 

The bids of all were rejected, and an effort made to have the 
house built according to the plans furnished by Mr. Myers, the 
county becoming its own contractor. A resolution to this effect 
was offered by Mr. Eeid, but voted down. Advertisements were 
again inserted for proposals, and the time set for the disposal of 
the same on the second day of February, 1869. Accordingly, on 
the said day, the Board met, when the following proposals were 
opened : 

D. J. Silver f 129,900 

William Young 110,000 

Walbaum & Co 129,000 

Deakman & Messenger 143,620 

Johnson & Askew 137,000 

Richardson 138,750 

Mahannah & Dey 136,000 

Peter Burns 137.(M)() 

Martin & Thomas 139,750 

Underwood & Co 143,800 

A petition was presented at this meeting, signed by sundry cit- 
izens of the county, praying the board not to expend more than 



HISTORY OF m'dOxNOUGH COUNTY. 251 

seventy-five thousand dollars in the erection of the court house. 
A committee was appointed to act upon the same, who reported 
to the board that, recognizing the right of citizens to be heard, 
they would report it "inexpedient to go back on our work and 
open the door for new litigation," and that they were satistied 
that a good tire-proof building, suitable for the purposes of the 
county, could not be built for that amount. 

The bids being duly examined by the board, that of Walbaum 
& Co., of Chicago, was adopted as being the lowest and best. 
Messrs. "Walbaum & Co. immediately entered into contract with 
the county for the erection of the building, and proceeded with 
the work. L. G. Reid, Esq., of Lamoine, was selected by the 
Board, at a salary of $1,200 per year, to superintend its construc- 
tion and entered zealously upon the discharge of his duties. 

Although the contract called for the completion of the building 
by :he first of IS'ovember, 1870, it was not until the summer of 
1872 it was finished. We now have a building in which every 
citizen of the county feels a just pride, and erected in a good sub- 
stantial manner, fireproof throughout. The following is the total 
cost of the building and the entire furniture and surroundings: 

Contractors price f 129,000 

Heating apparatus ■'5,650 

Furniture 5,777 

Fence G,289 

Drainage 2,608 

Architect 1,800 

Superintendent 3,427 

Bell 651 

Lightning rods 168 

Total $155,370 

DESCRIPTIOX OF THE COURT HOUSE. 

The exterior of the building presents an imposing appearance 
and harmonious picture from whatever point of view it is 
approached. It is situated in the center of the square, in the city 
of Macomb, in the midst of a beautifully decorated yard, enclosed 
by a neat and substantial iron fence. This square is in the center 
of the city and within a few hundred yards of the exact center of 
the county. The building is one of the neatest and best in the 
State used for a like purpose, and one to which every resident of 
the county points with pride. The many valuable public records 
of the county are considered safe Avithin it walls. 



2o2 HISTORY OK M'j)O.N"OL'(ilI COUNTY. 

The building is of modern style of architecture, and is three 
stories in height above the basement. The basement story is built 
of Sagetowri limestone, which gives the etructure the appearance 
of solidity, and is in beautiful contrast with the red brick with 
which are built the exterior walls of the main and second stories. 
The openings and corners of the building are also trimmed with 
the same kind of stone. The outside walls of the fourth, or en- 
tresol, story are covered with slate and the roof with tin. The 
roof, which is Mansard, presents a neat appearance, and is ele- 
gantly trimmed with cast-iron trimmings. 

There are four entrances leading into the corridors of the main 
story, one in the center of either side, and one in each end. Each 
of these open from a portico constructed of iron and stone, and 
reached by fine, wide stone steps. Under each portico, except 
the one on the north, and directly below the main entrances, are 
openings leading into the halls of the basement. The building is 
surmounted by a fine belfry, which rises from the west end. It 
contains a large town clock, the bell of which, w^eighing fifteen 
hundred pounds, peels forth the hours as they pass. On four sides, 
and in plain view from all points, are large dials, with huge hands 
pointing to the hour and minute. The entire frame-work of the 
belfry is constructed of wrought iron. From this belfry a fine 
view is obtained of the surrounding country for many miles, it 
being the highest available point in the county. 

The ground plan of the building is 114 feet long, by 72 wide. 
The front walls are broken by projections forming an irregular 
outline. Large halls pass through the basement and main stories. 
The floors of the walls in the basement are made of stone, while 
those in the first and second stories are marble tiling, twelve inch- 
es square. The partition walls, with few exceptions, are made of 
brick, upon Avhich rests heavy wrought iron beams and joints for 
the support of the floors. The ceilings are of corrugated iron, 
painted white. The halls are wainscotted throughout with black 
walnut and ash. The doors arc large and heavy and made of 
ash, with black walnut trimmings, while the inside window shut- 
ters and casings are of the same materials. 

In the center of the south side, leading from the basement to 
the fourth floor is a broad, iron stairway, while one in the west 
end of the building, south of the main entrance, leads from the 
basement to the third floor. Leading from the fourth floor to the 
balcony of the belfry is an iron spiral stairway. 





NEW JAIL BUILDING AT MACOMB. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 253 

111 the basement is the room for the eiio^iue used tor heatin<r 
purposes, fuel and 8torao;e rooms, water closets and bath-rooms. 
The main floor has commodious apartments for the County Judge, 
County and Circuit Clerks, Sheriff, Treasurer, and School Super- 
intendent, with fireproof vaults for public records. On the third 
floor are several good oflices, the private room of the Circuit 
Judge, oflice of the County Surveyor, jury room and council room 
of the city of Macomb, also the Circuit Court room, which occu- 
pies the eastern portion of the second and third stories. This 
room is quite large, with ample provision for the bar, witnesses, 
jury and spectators, being seated with about four hundred arm 
chairs. The rooms in the upper story are used principally for 
storage purposes. There are in the entire building thirty-four 
rooms, all of which are heated by steam, the principal rooms 
being provided, in addition, with fireplaces and mantles. Its ven- 
tilation is good and throughout it is supplied with all the modern 
improvements. The entire cost of the building was ^128,000 and 
its furniture $27,000. E. E. Myers, of Springfleld, was the archi- 
tect; A. Walbaum, of Chicago, the contractor; Martin & Thomas, 
of Macomb, carpenters and cabinet work; Frank Whitsou, plas- 
terer; Ingram & Argenliright, painters. 

On the completion of the new Court House, the subject of a 
new jail began to be agitated more than ever. The old rattle- 
trap was pronounced by the different grand juries unsafe and a 
great nuisance. Large bills of expense were continually being 
presented to the Board of Supervisors for guarding the jail and 
repairs, so that the members began to consider if it would not be 
more economical to build than to pay out the people's money in 
that manner. Several attempts were made to have the matter 
favorably acted upon, but it was not until the beginning of the 
year 3 876 that it was successful. A committee had been ap- 
pointed to examine the Knox county jail and had made a report 
recommending the adoption of the same plan with some modifica- 
tions. Advertisements were inserted in the Macomb papers, one 
Quincy, and one Chicago paper, and in March the bids were opened 
and contract awarded to J. M. Price & Co., of Macomb, for the 
sum of $28,000. Without any delay the work was commenced 
and completed, and at present is occupied by the sheriff and fam- 
ily, with the prisoners of the county. The work was done in an 
excellent manner, and the prison is as safe as it is possible to make 
it. The front part of the building, which is occupied by tlie 



254 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

sherift", presents a very handsome appearance, and the \vhole is an 
honor to the county. It may be thought at times that our county 
authorities are a little slow, but when they do anything they do 
it not by halves — they make complete work of it. The following 
is the total cost of building, ground, &c. Building $23,000, lots 
$900, barn, fences, walks, &c., $1,722 99, making a grand total of 
$25,622 99. 

Description. — The entire building is in height two stories, with 
basement; the front portion, or sheriff's residence, is 35x42 feet, the 
jail proper 35x40. The architectural design is modern, very neat 
and well proportioned, presenting, on the whole, a light, cheerful 
appearance. The basement is constructed of limestone, with the 
exterior surface rough; the walls of the main building are of red 
brick, the openings being trimmed with stone trimmings. In the 
sheriti's residence are eight pleasant rooms, with closets, ward- 
robes and halls. There are three entrances, all leading into this 
jiortion of the building. In the jail are twenty-four cells, each 
4|x7 feet, and seven in height, the walls of which are of six-inch 
limestone flagging. The cells are arranged in six tiers, four in 
length and three in height, one-half opening toward the east and 
one-half toward the west, into corridors eleven feet wide. The 
upper cells are reached by stairway and balcony, which extends in 
front of each tier. Beneath each of the loAver tier of cells are 
seven feet of solid concrete. In the north end is the prison din- 
ing hall, 12x35 feet. Separating the dining hall from the corridors 
are partitions of seveti-eight inch iron grating, with an iron slide 
door, which is worked from the liall of the dwelling. The doors 
of the cells are all locked from the dining hall, so arranged that 
the sheriff or attendants are not required to come into contact 
with the prisoners. Above the cells are two large iron tanks, 
capable of holding eighty barrels each, from which the prisoners 
are supplied with water for bathing purposes. In the dining hall 
is a force pump leading from the well, which supplies drinking 
water. Extending from the basement through the roof is a ven- 
tilating flue, 3x4 feet, with which each cell is connected, and 
affording ample ventilation. The outer door, leading from the 
dwelling to the dining hall of the jail, is solid wrought iron ; the 
inner one a grated V door. The heating furnace and fuel rooms 
occupy the basement. In the rear portion of the second story of 
the dwelling arc the female and debtor apartments, consisting of 
three large, well lighted rooms. There is also in this part the 



HISTORY OK m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 255 

sleeping apartment ot the turnkey, and a large sized bath room. 
The jail proper has a batli room also, for the accommodation of 
the prisoners. A large vault is in the main part, for the storage 
of stolen property recovered. The entire building is covered with 
a tin roof. A neat iron fence surrounds the lot on which it 
stands, which adds much to its general appearance. The jail 
proper was first occupied the latter part of November, 1876, four 
prisoners being taken there from the old jail. Sheriff Hays took 
possession of the dwelling on the first of January, 1877. 

"William Quale, of Peoria, was the architect ; J. M. Price & 
Co., of Macomb, contractors ; W. O. Thomas did the carpenter 
work; Johnson & Co., mason work; Patrick Ferman, plasterer ; 
Ingram & Argenbright, painters, all being of Macomb. The en- 
tire work was superintended by William C. McLeod, of Emmet 
townships. The building stands npon the corner of AVest Jack- 
son and McArthur streets. 

The following comprises a full and complete list of the names 
of all elective officers serving the county, and name of office : 

County Commissioners. — James Clarke, John Ilardesty, James 
Vance, James Edmonston, Enoch Cyrus, Nathan W^ard, Caville 
Archer, Stewart Pennington, Asa Smith, William W. Bailey, 
John Vance, John Wyatt, Hugh Kinkade, John Huston, Isaac G. 
Smith, William Furguson, John G. Woodside, Robert Bean, 
Charles C. Hungate, Samuel Calvin. 

Judge of Probate Court. — John Baker, James M. Campbell, 
Willam Willis, James Clarke. 

County Judge. — James Clarke, Thompson Chandler, L. A. Sim- 
mons, J. B. Nickel, James Irwin, Jonathan H. Baker. 

County Clerk. — Michael Stinson, John Baker, James M. Camp- 
bell, Isaac Grantham, J. H. Baker, James W. Matthews, William 
Ervin, Q. C. Ward, Allen A. Sparks, Charles W. Dines. 

Circuit Clerk — M. L. Stinson, James M. Campbell, William T. 
Head, William H. Randolph, J. B. Cummings, John H. Hungate, 
Benjamin F. Pinkley, I. N. Pearson. 

Sheriffs — AVm. Southward, Lawson II. Robinson, Daniel Camp- 
bell, Wm. II. Randolph, D. Lawson, Sydnor II. Ilogan, Francis 
D. Lipc, George A.Taylor, Silas J. Hopper, Amos Dixon, G. L. 
Farwell, Samuel Wilson, John E. Lane, Thomas Murray, Samuel 
Frost, J. B. Venard, Chas. C. Hays. 



256 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Coroners — Peter Hale, Isaac Bartlett, John Woodsides, Richard 
S. Lowe, John P. Head, Caleb T. Overton, Charles Chandler, 
James Anderson, Wm. Willis Clayton, John P. Head, Samuel H. 
McCandless, David Reece, J. IT. Epperson, J. H. Swigart, Isaac 
P. Montbrt, Jeremiah Sullivan, Wm. W. Head, J. II. Epperson, 
I). W. Campbell, W. R. Pittman, W. II. Wayland, George W. 
Reid. 

l)-easiirtrs. — John Huston, Resin Xaylor, William Willis, Jessie 
M. Chapman, Iverson L. Twyman, John W. Westfall, William T. 
Head, Samuel E. Taylor, John S. Wooley, Theodore B. McCor- 
mick, John Knappenberger, W. H. II. Ilainline, SydnorH. Ilogan, 
S. A. Hunt, Anthony Thornton, J. W. Siders, John Xefl". 

Surveyors. — Jesse Bartlett, James W. Brattle, Charles W. Bacon, 
Samuel A. Hunt, II. I. C. Averill, William II. Rile, Charles A. 
Gilchrist, A. J. White, J. B. IsTickel, W. J. Edie, James Shannon, 
B. F. Howard. 

School Commissioner. — James Vance, Benjamin T. Naylor, Isaac 
Grantham, Josiah P. Gates, Charles Chandler, John 0. C. Wilson, 
James R. Simpson, Thomas E. Branan, Joseph C. Thompson, 
Louis A. Simmons, John Barge, I). Branch, L. H. Copeland, John 
M. Dunsworth, II. A. Maxwell. 

State's Attorney .—Thorwa?^ Ford, William A. Richardson, Henry 
L. Bryant, William Elliott, Robert S. Blackwell, Calvin A. War- 
ren, John S.Bailey, L. H. Waters, Thomas E. Morgan, L. W. 
James. 

County Attorney. — Crosby F. Wheat. 



HISTOKY OF M'DONOUfiH COUNTY. 257 



CHArTER AXI. 



OTHER RAILROADS 



As recorded elsewhere, McDonougli county voted, in 1856, to 
take stock in the Rock Island and Alton Railroad Company, to 
the amount of fifty thousand dollars. This was on condition that 
Macomb should be a point on that road. AVith the Northern 
Cross, now Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, we had an 
outlet east ; w^ith the Rock Island and Alton we would secure an 
outlet south, and would have the benefit of competing markets 
tor our produce, and also for our general trade. After several 
years attempt to obtain sufficient funds to build the road, the 
managers were forced to the conclusion they could not obtain the 
means, so the franchises of the road were sold to the Rockford, 
Rock Island k St. Louis Railroad. This last named company 
started out with a grand flourish of trumpets, and with the V)oast 
that they would finish the road in short order. 

Aid had been voted the Rock Island & Alton Railroad all along 
its proposed line. This the new company were desirious of ob- 
taining and, knowing the people were very desirous of having the 
road built, they imagined they would have no trouble in the mat- 
ter. They announced their intention of building upon the origi- 
nal line specified in the charter of the Rock Island and St. Louis 
Jlailroad, and then immediately began the canvass on other pro- 
posed routes, and making offers to build thereon on condition that 
the counties and townships would take a sufficient amount of 
stock to make it an object for them. The object of this was to 
make two or more proposed lines enter into competition, and so 
obtain the largest amount of money possible. In this they suc- 
ceeded well, obtaining large amounts from the townships through 
which the road finally ran. The eastern lii e gained the day. 



258 HISTORY OF m'donough county. 

securing the road and voting the follo\ving subscriptions in the 
various townships through which it runs, or is supposed to benefit, 
in McDonough county : 

Eldorado $6,000 

New Salem r.0,000 

Mound 40,000 

Bushnell 50,000 

Walnut Grove 15,000 

The officers of the road continually held out the idea to the 
people along the original line that the road would be built there; 
the eastern line, if built at all, would only be a branch of the 
main line. The result does not speak well for their veracity. 

While the matter was pending as to the location of the road a 
demand was made upon the county for the bonds voted to the 
Rock Island and Alton railroad a few years previous. The de- 
mand was at first refused, but finally, at a meeting held in the 
year 1870, the Board of Supervisors passed an order instructing 
the clerk to issue the same and deposit them with the Auditor of 
State to be delivered to the road when the conditions on which 
aid was voted were complied with. The bonds remained with the 
Auditor for several years, until all were fully satisfied the company 
would never comply with the conditions named in the vote, when 
they were returned to the Board. 

As built, the road has never been a paying investment. This 
may in a measure be due to the management, and we are inclined 
to believe that such is the case. Other roads crossing it have re- 
fused to co-operate or extend toward it the usual courtesies due 
from one road to another. This has been particularly true as re- 
gards the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad, it refusing to 
transfer cars and compelling all freight to be taken out of the cars 
and reloaded into cars belonging to themselves, thus entailing ad- 
ditional expense and loss of time upon the shipper. 

In the spring of 1875 the road was sold under mortgage, the 
German bondholders becoming the purchasers. For about one 
year, under the management of Mr. Osterberg, as their represen- 
tative, they continued to operate it; ])ut in the early part of the 
summer of 1876 a new company was formed, composed in part of 
the German bondholders and leading business men on the line, 
to whom the franchises of the road were transferred. This com- 
pany changed its name to the St. Louis, Rock Island and Chicago 
Railroad. They only continued in its nuinagementfor about four or 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 259 

five months, when it again changed hands, this time the Chicago, 
Burlington and Quincy Railroad Company becoming its purchaser. 
Under the management of this last named company the success 
of the road is secured, and we have no doubt of it becoming a 
paying road in due time. 

We have been unable to obtain a statement of the business of 
the road, as we designed, the officers declining to give it, for rea- 
sons known only to themselves. 

At a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors, held in 
January, 1870, a petition was presented, signed by a number of 
the citizens of the county, praying that a vote should be ordered 
taken on subscribing stock to the amount of $75,000, in a pro- 
posed new railroad, called the Havana, Mason City, Lincoln and 
Eastern Railroad. The prayer of the petitioners was granted, 
and the vote ordered to be taken on the fifth day of April 
following — the day of the annual town elections. This order was 
rescinded at the March term of the Board, for the reason it was 
thought that the promises held out by the parties representing 
said road could not be complied with, and therefore it would be 
unwise to vote upon the proposition. 



260 HISTORY OF m"i)Onoi-c;h corNTY. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



NEWSPAPER ENTERPRISES. 



A history of the county without mention of its newspapers would 
be incomplete — like the play of Hamlet with the part of Hamlet 
left out. "VYe therefore make mention of the history of such as 
were easily obtainable. The first paper in the county was the 

McDonough Independent. — This paper Avas established in the 
year 1851, the first issue making its appearance Friday, Septem- 
ber 12. George AV. Smith and Theodore L. Terry were its pro- 
l^rietors, the former having charge of the editorial department. 
As its name would indicate, it was independent in politics, though 
leaning somewhat toward Democracy. It first appeared as a six 
column folio, being enlarged to a seven column folio the beginning 
of its second year. Mr. Smith, its editor, Avas a sharp writer, 
and in newspaper discussion, almost always came off first best. 
Mr. Terry was a practical printer, and had charge of the mechan- 
ical work of the office. He only remained connected witli the 
paper about five months, when he disposed of his interest to 
the senior proprietor. The paper never attained a very large cir- 
culation, and Mr. Smith not being possessed of any means, couhl 
not give it the attention he would otherwise. The merchants of 
the town do not seem to have been the best advertisers; no local 
notices appearing, and but few standing or displayed advertise- 
ments. Patent medicine men used its columns freely. In the first 
number we find only the advertisements of three firms, Updegraff 
& Maury, druggists and booksellers, and I). & C. A. Lawson, and 
W. & H. Ervin, general merchandise. Hampton k Waters have a 
law card, and Dr. J. M. Major a medical card. Several Beards- 
town and St. Lous firms liave cards, showing that in those days 
the trade drifted South. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 2G1 

The Independent continued to pursue a non-partisan course un- 
til the fall of 1854, when it came out square for the Democracy, 
advocating the doctrine of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, and oppos- 
ing the repeal of the fugitive slave law, questions then agitating 
the people. With the first number of the fourth volume, to its 
original heading it added, "and Democratic Review," making it 
read, McDonough Independent and Democratic lieview. This 
name was retained until September, 1855, when it was changed to 
McDonough Democrat, and li. M. Royalty associated in its man- 
agement and becoming the responsible editor. In his salutatory. 
Dr. Royalty says : "Venerating the cardinal doctrines of the great 
Democratic party, as transmitted to us from the hands of Jeffer- 
son, Madison and Jackson, and having an abiding faith that the 
party will retain its integrity, unsullied and untrammeled by the 
cankering fetters of fanaticism, our humble efforts will be direct- 
ed to the advancement of the party and the dissemination of cor- 
rect principles among the people, in whom alone we recognize, 
under the restrictions of the constitution, the only legitimate source 
of power and independent sovereignty. Resting under this con- 
viction, and that the doctrine of non-intervention by Congress in 
the affairs of the States and Territories embraced in the late 
Kansas-Xebraska bill is strictl}' constitutional, just and expedient, 
we shall earnestly contend for the Jinatity of that measure, and the 
defeat of the allied factions of Abolitionism, Know-Nothingism, 
Fusionism and Republicanism, 'falsely so called,' which are 
arrayed against it." The doctor only remained connected with 
the paper about one year, when it again reverted to Mr. Smith, 
who continued editor and publisher until its final suspension in 
the spring of 1857. 

The 3Iacomb Journal — In consequence of the expression of po- 
litical views of the McDonough Independent, a professedly neu- 
tral paper, many persons in Macomb were desirous of establishing 
another paper, and two young men, Messrs. T. S. Clarke and I). 
G. Swan were persuaded to embark in the enterprise, and under 
the name of the Macomb Enterprise the first number was issued 
in the spring of 1855. A favorable impression was made upon 
the people and the paper received a fair patronage, but, on ac- 
count of the want of capital Mr. Clarke soon withdrew, and the 
paper was conducted for a while by D. G. Swan, with L. 11. Waters 
as editor. Finding it impossible to continue without financial 
11—17 



262 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

assistance, Mr. Swan sold a half interest in the office to B. K, 
Hampton, who, as editor, continued in its charge for several years, 
becoming after a time sole proprietor. The paper was established 
as a neutral sheet, but soon came out as a supporter of the views 
of the anti-Xebraska and then the Republican party, and in the 
campaign of 1856 supporting the nominee of the Eepublican 
party for President. In politics the paper still continues to sup- 
port Republican principles. 

Just before the campaign of 18G0 Mr. irampton sold the office 
to J. "VY. Nichols, who continued its publication for some two 
years, a part of the time being assisted in editorial control by Y. 
Y. Ralston, "Esq., afterward Captain of Company A, 16th regi- 
ment Illinois volunteers. In the spring of 1861 Mr. JSTichols sold 
a half interest in the office to James K. Magie, Esq., who assumed 
editorial control and remained in that capacity until the summer of 
1862, when he enlisted as a private in the 78th regiment. After 
Mr. Magie went to the front Mr. Z^Tichols assumed editorial con- 
trol and continued'in its management until Mr. Magie purchased 
his interest in 1863, when T. S. Clarke leased tlie office and ran 
the paper for some months, or until the expiration of Mr. Magie's 
term of service. AYe neglected to remark that when Mr. Nichols 
purchased the office the name of the paper was changed to Mili- 
tary Tract Journal, and when Mr. Magie became interested it was 
again changed to Macomb Journal, which name it yet bears. 

After the return of Mr. Magie from the army he continued in 
the management of the paper until 1865, when he sold the office 
to B. R. Hampton, Esq., who continued sole editor and proprietor 
until June 10, 1870, Avhen he disposed of a half interest in the 
office to AY. II. llainline, Esq., the two together becoming joint 
editors and proprietors, which relation is yet continued. The 
paper has grown from a weak, sickly sheet to one of the strongest 
and brightest papers in the Military Tract, with a circulation sec- 
ond to none in that region. Its editors are both live, public- 
spirited men and deserve success. It is now a large, eight-column 
folio, printed on new brevier type on a Taylor power press, which 
ij run by steam, the old hand press being superseded some years 
since. Terms, $2 per year. Address Hampton & llainline. 

The Macomb Ledger. — This paper was established in Macomb, 
in 1866, by T. !S. Clarke, and only lived about four weeks. It 
was a sprightly local sheet, and had it been continued it would 
doubtless have done considerable good. Its editor and proprietor 



HISTORY OF m'donough county. 263 

was one of the best local writers in the State, but being possessed 
of no pecuniary resources, without which no paper can succeed, 
he was compelled to suspend its publication. B. K. Hampton 
became proprietor of the ofdce, and sent it to Havana, Mason 
county. 

The Western Lighl. — This paper was established by S. J. Clarke 
and Charles P. Whitten, in January, 1868. It was a large tive- 
column quarto, well printed from new t3'pe, and was devoted to 
literature, art, science, temperance and local news. Many warm 
words of commendation were passed upon it; but words are 
cheap and will not support any periodical. It lived just one 
year. Mr. AVhitten was connected with the paper but about four 
mouths, when Mr. Clarke became sole proprietor. The office was 
disposed ot to Reynolds and Garrison, in December, 1868, and was 
used in printing the Gospel Echo for about one year, when B. K. 
Hampton became proprietor. The material since has had a very 
migratory existence, and has been used in publishing several dif- 
ferent papers in Missouri and in this State, and in now used in the 
publication of the Macomb Independent. 

The Bushnell Record. — This paper was first established in 1865 
by D. G. Swan, and was then known as the Union Press. Mr. S. 
continued its publication about two j'ears, when he sold to Andrew 
Ilagemau, who changed the name of the sheet to its present cog- 
nomen. The Bushell Record. Although without previous experi- 
ence in the newspaper business, Mr. Hageman got up a very 
readable paper. After two years experience in newspaper life, 
Mr. II. sold the press and material, together with the good will of 
the paper, to A. W. Van Dyke, a young gentleman of good address 
and one of the best job printers in the State, who in turn sold to 
S. A. Epperson and W. A. Spencer in 1873. The latter gentle- 
man dissolved his connection witli the same after one year's ex- 
perience. Captain S. A. Epperson becoming sole proprietor, and 
yet continues in control of the same. 

Like many other newspaper enterprises, the Record has had its 
ups and downs, its seasons of prosperity and seasons of adversity ; 
but it has continued to toil on, looking forward to the better day 
coming. We now find it, in the beginning of the year 1877, a 
large six column quarto, filled with interesting and profitable read- 
ing matter, and with advertising patronage that betokens pros- 
perity, and that the family of its editor can have and enjoy a 
little more than the bare necessaries of life. 



264 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

The liecord has lately added to its office a Campbell power 
press, and now boasts of doing its work a little faster and a little 
better than its neighbors. The job office is complete, and w^ork 
of all kinds, from a visiting card to a mammoth poster, or a large 
book, can be printed in the best style. Captain Epperson is de- 
termined not to be outdone in anything, and will not rest until he 
is in advance of all his neighbors in that which goes to make a 
tirst class printing office, and a neat readable paper. 

Prairie City Chronicle. — This was the name of the lirst paper 
published in the town of Prairie City, the lirst number of which 
bears date April 23, 1857. It was edited and published by R. "W. 
tSeaton, and was a seven-column folio, well printed, and an honor 
to the town, although its local news was very limited. The intro- 
ductory shows that its editor was very sanguine of success. In 
speaking of its then limited circulation, he says: '-Our circle at 
present is small, like that of a pebble dropped in the ocean, but it 
will gradually and silently expand in every direction until it 
reaches the far-off boundaries ot civilization." Of course no paper 
could live in a small town like Prairie City if it endeavored to ex- 
pand in such a way as that, as it surely would meet the fate of the 
frog in the fable that endeavored to swell its proportions to the 
size of an ox, and in doing so burst itself; we therefore learn that 
in about one year it ceased to exist, but its editor, like many more 
of the craft, had more grit than money, and determined on the 
establishment of another sheet on its ruins ; and accordingly in 
May, 1858, appeared the first number of the — 

Prairie Chief. — A. four column quarto, and published in the in- 
terests of the Good Templars. It lived but a few weeks, the or- 
der not giving it sufficient patronage on which to exist, and hav- 
ing no local news of any kind, the people of the town in which 
it was published failed to render it any aid. JSText appeared the 

Prairie Chicken. — We have been unable to find a copy of the 
paper, or learn any special information in regard to it, further 
than it was published by an erratic genius, who knew more about 
table-tipping than running a newspaper. The "Chicken" was 
doubtless trapped when quite young and destroyed without mercy. 

IVic Prairie City Herald is a thirty-two column paper, is always 
clearly and neatly printed, and is now in its seventh volume. It 
enjoys a large circulation in its immediate vicinity, and is a wel- 
come visitor in many homes in the far west, where it is eagerly 



HISTORY OF M'dONOUGH COUNTY. 2Go 

read by former inhabitants of this county. It was established by 
C. W. Ta3dor, a brother of its present editor and proprietor, Mr. 
II. B. Taylor. 

The chief feature of this paper is its excellence as a local and 
family newspaper. Nothing is ever permitted to appear either in 
its editorial or advertising colums which may not be read by any 
family circle or at any fireside. It has a good advertising patron- 
age, and stands on its own merits. It gives no premiums to sub- 
scribers, and asks no one to take it "just to help it along." It is 
well known for its short and spicy paragraphs, and is more widely 
quoted from than any paper published in the county. Terms of 
subscription, $2 a year in advance. 

The Macomb Independent. — This paper was started as The Illi- 
nois Granger, by H. H. Stevens and E. A. Hail, under thefirm 
name of Stevens & Hail, in September, 1873. It was devoted 
to the interest of the laboring classes, and took strong ground 
against monopolies of all kinds, and advocated the organization 
of a new political party. It supported the anti-monopoly party, 
and contributed largely to the election of the candidates on that 
ticket in McDonough county that fall. The influence brought to 
bear against it was almost impossible to withstand, and men of 
less nerve and devotion to the cause would have given up the 
enterprise as utterly hopeless. Not knowing which of the two 
old parties were being injured most by the new organization, it 
was bitterly opposed by the party organs of both. 

The secret order of the Patrons of Husbandry, or the Grange, 
was then attracting a great deal of attention in the county, and 
owing to a lack of knowledge on the part of the uninitiated as 
to the real object of the order, wrong impressions took deep root 
in flic minds of the public, and more especially was this so with 
the various merchants, who had an idea that this order was 
hostile to their interests. The Granger defended this organiza- 
tion, and hence a prejudice among the merchants sprang up 
against it. The Granger, as before stated, took an active part in 
politics, and for this reason the belief that the order of Patrons of 
Husbandry was a political party becoming quite prevalent, a fact 
which was neither beneficial to the order, to the new party, or 
to the paper. The mistake in the selection of a name for the 
paper was discovered before it had completed its first volume, but it 
continued under that name until March, 1876, when it was discarded 
and that of Macomb Independent was assumed, under which name 



266 HISTORY OF m'doXOUCJH COUNTY. 

it is still published. It struggled hard for an existence, and its 
publishers were frequently driven to borrow money to meet their 
obligations, but the employes in the office were always paid off 
promptly at the end of each week. 

There were many trying times in its history, but the darkest 
days of its existence were during the unsettled political condition 
of the country wbich followed the presidential election of 1876. 
On the thirteenth of December of this year, during the darkest 
hours of its darkness, Stevens bought Hail's interest in the pa- 
per, books and accounts — the presses, type and material of the of- 
ti.ce being equitably divided. Immediately alter this a healthful 
change set in. The inactivity which pervaded the ranks of the 
Independent Greenback party during the month and a half im- 
mediately following the election was succeeded by activity, re- 
newed life and vigor. "Organize for 1880" were the w^ords of the 
national executive committee of the Independent party, and it 
seemed to meet with a hearty response from the people. More 
money was paid in on subscription to the Independent during the 
two iirst weeks in January, 1877, than had been received from 
the day ot election up to the first of that month. Xew hopes 
and new enere-ies were beo;otten, new names were enrolled, new 
advertisements came in, and the success of the paper was assured. 
It now circulates about 700 copies among the farmers of the 
county. It had a hard struggle, it met with a powerf al and de- 
termined opposition, but it braved all and its future prospects are 
bright and full of hope. Subscription price $2 00 per year. Of- 
fice in Campbell's block, west side of the square. 

The Gleaner — This paper was started in January, 1876, and is 
one of the neatest and sprightliest in the county. In politics it is 
independent, not in a partisan sense but in conduct. Its editor 
and publisher is J. E. Cummings. Connected with the office is a 
No. 1 job office, presided over by one of the best job printers in 
the Military Tract. Terms of subscription $2 per annum in ad- 
vance. Address J. E, Cummings, Bushncll, Illinois. 



HISTORY OF M^DONOUCiH COUNTY. 2G7 



CHAPTER XXiri. 

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. 

Very likel}^ all ot our readers have heard ot the famous Under- 
ground Railroad, but very few know anything of its system of 
work. Happily the corporation does not now exist, the necessity 
for the enterprise not being apparent at the present time, as the 
class of freight or passengers transported over the line are not 
now produced. 

The question of slavery has always been a mixed one, from the 
time the first slave was imported into our country until, by the 
C'manci})ation proclamation of Abraham Lincoln, all men were made 
free and equal in the eyes of the law. A strong anti-slavery party 
has long existed in the country. The framers of our constitution 
upon the organization of the governmenthad to deal with the ques- 
tion of slavery; the successive administrations from AVashington to 
Lincoln had to grapple with it; various compromises were adopted, 
which it was thought would quiet its spirit, but, like Banquo's 
ghost it would not down at the bidding of any man or party. The 
death of Lovejoy at Alton, in 1837, a martyr to the anti-slavery 
cause, gave an impetus to the agitation of the question which 
never ceased until the final act was consummated which broke in 
pieces the shackles that bound the slave. 

Growing out of the agitation of this question, and the formation 
of a party of those in sympathy with the slaves, was the organiza- 
tion of the so-called Underground Railroad, for the purpose of 
aiding fugitives to escape to a land of freedom. The secrecy of its 
workings justified its name. Xotwithstanding the system was an 
organized one, those engaged in it had no signs nor passwords by 
which they might be known, save now and then a preconcerted 
rap at the door when a cargo of freight was to be delivered. Each 
relied upon the honor of the other, and as the work was an extra- 



268 HISTORY OF M'DONOlKill COUNTY. 

hazardous one, few cowiirds ever engaged in it. Pro-slavery men 
complained bitterly of the violation of the law by their abolition 
neighbors, and persecuted them as much as they dared, and this 
was not a little. But the friends of the slave M^ere not to be de- 
terred by persecution. " The blood of martyrs is the seed of the 
church," and persecution only made them more determined than 
ever to carry out their just convictions of right and duty. No 
class of people ever made better neighbors than the Abolitionists, 
or better conductors on a railroad. 

A very singular circumstance in connection with this road was 
the fact that, although people well knew who were engaged in it, 
and where the depot was located, freight could seldom be found, 
search as carefully as they might. A consignment would be for- 
warded over the line, notice of which would reach the ears of 
slave hunters, and when ready to place their hands upon the fugi- 
tives, like the Irishman's flea, they wouldn't be there. Only one 
case is reported on the line through this county of the recapture 
of a slave, an account of which will be found turther on in this 
chapter, while hundreds were forwarded over it during the 
twenty-five years of its running time. We may here remark 
there were various branches of this road having a starting point 
at different places. The line running through McDonough began 
in Quinc}', and ran nearly parallel with the present C, B. & Q. 
B. R. The business for a number of years was quite extensive, 
but to-day all the employes of the road are discharged, and strange 
to relate, none are sorry, but all rejoice in the fact. As illustrat- 
ing the peculiarities of this line, we append several incidents that 
principally occurred in this county. 

^^WhatA7n IT' — Charley was a likcl}' "boy,*' the property of a 
man living near Hannibal, Mo. He had been well treated in 
ever}^ respect and allowed many liberties not enjoyed by the race 
in general. The thought of his being a slave had never entered 
his mind and probably never would had not a little circumstance 
occurred that presented it in a very forcible manner. Quite a 
number of slaves had escaped from Missouri, and the matter was 
being generally discussed b}- all classes in the State, and at a gath- 
ering where Charley and his master w^ere both present the subject 
was again discussed, when the master said : 

"If any of my slaves should escape I should never rest until I got 
them back. Xow, Charley, here, if he should escape, I would not 
take a drink of whisky or a chew of tobacco until I had him safe." 



HISTORY OF m'D0N0UC;II COUNTY. 2G9 

III narrating the circumstances afterward, Charley said : " The 
thought suddenly Hashed through my mind, What am I? Am I, 
or I am I not, a human being, with power to feel, and think, 
and act? Have I a soul, or am I a machine to be set in motion and 
act in accordance with the will of one made in the same manner 
as I am, save of different color? Such thoughts never entered my 
mind before. I had plenty to eat and drink, and was well clothed, 
had a fair education, had been in company with men of talent, 
but, of course, without power to express my own thoughts had I 
the desire to do so. I thought that I would give my master an 
opportunity to put bis threat into execution, and I did so." 

Having many liberties, as we have before remarked, with power 
to come and go as he thought best, a few days after, as evening 
approached, Charley gave out to his fellow slaves that he was 
going to Hannibal to attend a colored dance. Mounting a horse, 
he rode off in that direction, but, changing his course, he went 
north until nearly opposite Quincy, when, leaving his horse, he 
searched the river bank, and finding an old skiff, he crossed over, 
and landed at the general depot of the Underground Railroad. 
Here he secured passage for the colored people's canaan, Canada. 
Coming from Quincy by way of Round Prairie, he made Blazer's 
Station, this county, early one morning, where he laid by to enjoy 
a little rest and secure the services of another conductor. Mr. 
Blazer took him in charge, keeping him that day, learning his 
story, and after dark took him to the next station on his journey. 
Thus he continued until he reached the terminus of the route. 

A few months afterward Mr. Blazer was somewhat surprised to 
see Charley back, and learned he was returning to secure, if pos- 
sible, his wife and two children. Bidding him God-speed, he sent 
him on his way. When he arrived at Quincy he secured an excel- 
lent skiff" from the general agent of the road at that point, and 
for some days endeavored to secure an opportunity of getting his 
family away. But all his efforts were without avail, and he was 
compelled to return without his dear wife and children, though 
he managed to run oft several slaves from the neiijhborhood. 

A few months passed away and Charley again returned and 
made another attempt to get his wife and children, but again failed. 
A third attempt was made, this time with partial success, ending 
in failure. It was suspected b}'' his master he would return for 
this purpose, and he kept a strict watch over the wife and chil- 



270 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

dren of his runaway slave, compelling them to sleep in a room 
above the one occupied b}' himself and wife, and through which 
one was compelled to pass to reach the other. Charley learned 
the true state of aftairs, but in some way unknown to us, got 
them out without alarming any one. The distance to the river 
where they could cross, was too great to make in one night, so 
they were compelled to lay out in the woods until another night- 
fall. When night came they traveled on until they reached the 
river; when, getting in the skiff, they crossed over, landing some 
distance above Quincy, and on a little island a short distance from 
the main land. As the skiff" reached the shore, two men stepped 
out, with guns in their hands, and ordered them to surrender. 
Charley suddenly drew his revolver, and pointing it at the men 
threatened to shoot if they attempted to harm him. He then 
began to parley with them, while at the same time consulting 
with his wife as to what should be done. She urged him to save 
himself, stating it would be death or worse for him to be captured, 
but as to her, they would do nothing save placing a more strict 
watch over her person. Seizing the opportunity when the atten- 
tion ot the two men was diverted, Charley jumped into the 
river and swam to the main land, and thus escaped without being 
hurt by the shots tired at him. This time he returned without 
wife, children or friends; but he was not to be daunted or discour- 
aged. In a few months he again returned only to find that his 
wife had been sold and taken down the river. Learning that she 
was living near St. Louis, he determined there to seek her, which 
he did, and this time met with better success, as he escaped 
with both wife and children, and succeeded m reaching Can- 
ada in safety. When Charley came through the third time, and 
reported his adventure with the slave-catchers, he was advised to 
abandon the attempt to get his wife and little ones, and the sug- 
gestion made that he marry some French Canadian woman. 
"i^o," said he, "that 1 will never do; I love my wife and children 
as much as any man, if I am black, and I intend to liave them or 
die in the attempt!" 

This same Charley, as previously remarked, was instrumental 
in running oft" many others. AVe copy the following incident of 
him from Young's History of Kound Prairie and Plymouth : 

A Lively Load ami Lively Time. — Mr. T. called at the house 
of Mr. W. on his way home from a three days' trip to Quincy, and 
found that a company of six negroes had just arrived, that were 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 271 

to be sent on their way to freedom. There was a man and his 
wife, with two children andayouno^ man, all under the leadership 
of a negro called Charley, who had been over the line half a doz- 
en times or more. He had become well known to the regular 
agents of the route, llis various trips to and from Missouri had 
been made for the purpose of getting his wife away, failing iu 
which he would gather up such friends as he could and pilot them 
to freedom. 

Mr. T. detailed himself for the service of taking the party to 
Macomb, to start next morning, making a day trip. The party of 
six were stowed as well as possible at full length on the bottom of 
the wagon, and cov^ered closely with sacks of straAv. These were 
so light that they showed a decided tendency to jolt out of place, 
and thus perhaps to make unwelcome revelations on the road. 
To remedy this a rope was drawn down tightly over the sacks and 
fastened at the ends of the wagon. This kept things in place, 
and all went well until near the end of the journey. Here Mr. T. 
becoming doubtful as to the proper road to take, took the wrong one, 
and passed three young men getting out logs in a piece of woods 
through which his way led him. He did not dare to stop and in- 
quire the way of them for fear they might pry into the nature of 
his load too closely. As he drove on he thought there was a strik- 
ing family likeness in the young man, to the man he was looking 
for. He went on, however, until he came to a cabin a little oft" 
the road where he thought it safer to inquire. As he went in he 
confronted a man that he recognized too well as one he cared 
little to meet on such a mission. But it was a cold, snowy day, 
and his face was so concealed by his wrappings that he was not 
recognized by the occupant of the cabin, who gave him the infor- 
mation sought. Mr. T. found that he had gone too far, and had 
to retrace his way to the woods and then turn off. Here again he 
came upon the young men who had been delayed with their load 
by getting "stalled' in a deep rut. Better satisfied now as to their 
identity, he inquired the way of them. Guessing his mission 
readily, they made free inquiries about his load, which were an- 
swered as freely. Finding Charley was in the company, cue of 
the young men determined to frighten him, or at least have a joke 
at his expense. Calling his name in stern tones, lie told him that 
he knew he had passed over the lines several times in safety, 
"but," said he, "I have caught you at last ; you are now my pris- 



272 HISTORY OF M'l)ONOUf;iI COUNTY. 

oner." Charley, still in concealment with the others under the 
sacks, recognized the voice of an old acquaintance, did not turn 
white with fear but enjoyed the pleasantry. 

Soon all were safely housed at Mr. "s. After supper "all 

hands'' gathered in the parlor, where for a time there was a free 
intermingling of story, song and mirth ; after which an old violin 
was produced and "operated" upon by some olc of the company, 
while the negroes "let themselves out" into a regular old-fashioned 
plantation "hoe down," which lasted until all were ready to retire 
with aching sides from excess of fun. This evening's entertain- 
ment is noted as a particularly bright spot in U. G. R. R. experi- 
ence — brightened loith genuine negro polish. 

Bclrayal of the Negro Preacher. — In Virginia lived a rich farmer 
having a number of slaves, among others a man and wife, with 
their children. This man was a preacher among liis colored 
brethren. The old farmer dying, on the division of the estate 
this colored preacher and his wife fell to a daughter, who had 
lately married a young physician ; the children were given to 
other parties. This physician and his wife had determined to 
remove to Missouri, and to reconcile his slaves with the idea of 
leaving their children, promised them it they would go peaceably 
and work for him a term of years, he would give them their free- 
dom. To be free was a boon greatly desired, and they joyfully 
consented to go. The physician settled at Hannibal, Missouri, 
and time i)assed, his negroes faithfully performing all the duties 
required of them. A few months before the time had elapsed 
when he promised to give the couple their freedom, he called the 
man to him one day and asked, "Ca'sar, I suppose you are look- 
ing forward to the time when you will soon be free, are you not?" 
"Yes, Massa." "Well, before receiving your papers, wouldn't 
you like to make a trip down the river to see how they work 
things on the plantations of the south':"' "Well, yes, Massa, I 
would; I hearn tell a good deal about de way da do de work down 
dare, and I would like to see it for myself." "If you so desire it, 
I will mnkc arrangements to have you taken down." "All right, 
Massa.'' 

A day or two after, C;esar's master announced to him he had ar- 
ranged with the Captain of a steamer to take him down as a deck 
hand, he, in that way, working his passage. The boat was then 
lying at the wharf, and he could go on board at once, proceeding 
down the river and back in time to secure his papers of freedom. 



HISTORY OF IM'dONOUUH roUNTV. 27?> . 

Ca";sar at once went aboard the boat, pleased with the idea of a 
trip down the Mississippi, visiting the wonders and learning some- 
thing of plantation lite of the South. As the boat proceeded 
down the river, he observed that he was watched by a gentleman, 
and wondered what it meant. When a little way above St. Louis, 
the strange man got an opportunity to speak to him, there being 
no one near him at the time. Said he : 

"Don't you know you are being taken down the river never to 
return V 

With a start, Cajsar responded : 

"No, sah ; I don't." 

"Well, such is the case. I saw your nmster make out and give 
to a man now on board, a bill of sale of you." 

"Is that so, Massa ? Tell me true !" 

"Yes, it is. Now", my advice to you is that if the opportunity 
offers, you try and make your escape. Death is to be preferred 
to life on a southern plantation. You may escape and make your 
way north where you will find friends. We will soon land to take 
on wood, and you there may get away." 

The thought of being betrayed by his master had never entered 
the mind of poor Coesar who supposed he was going on a pleasure 
trip to the South, and the thought that he should be retained there 
was almost overpowering. What could he do? Kscape? Well, 
he would try. As his friend remarked, death was preferable to a 
life on a southern plantation. 

When the boat landed, Civsar was sent with other deck hands 
to load it with wood. lie moved off as if with the intention of 
doing the work, and when out of sight of his companions, he 
started off on a ran. His presence at first was not missed, and 
when the fact was discovered, the boat could not be delayed that 
his capture might be effected. Steering directly north, Ca?sar 
in due time found himself in the vicinity of Upper x\lton. While 
passing along the road he heard behind him a couple of horse- 
men in full gallop, and supposing they were after him, it was his 
first thought to run, but fearing this would excite their apprehen- 
sion, if they were not in search of him, he quietly stepped one 
side, and began plucking the plums from a tree by the roadside. 
Luckily the horsemen paid no attention to him, even if they ob- 
served him. lie continued on his way, and soon another horse- 



•274 HISTORY OF m'donough county. 

man came galloping up behind. As before he could not escape 
without observation, and the horseman soon overtook him and 
quietly asked : 

"Going north ?"' 

"Yes, sah, am traveling that way." 

"Well, then get on this horse and travel nntil you come to a 
certain house [describing it] there hitch your horse, go ju, and 
you will be cared for."" 

Although he did not know whether he was a friend or foe, 
Cii^sar concluded to trust him and take his advice. Mounting the 
horse he proceeded on the way until he reached the designated 
place where he stopped, and on going in, without a word being 
spoken, he was shown a large upper room and told to remain 
there until called for. Food was provided him, and when night 
came he was conducted on his way. lie was now on the line of 
the famous Underground railway, and in due time passed through 
this county on his way to Canada. 

Some months after, he returned over the line to secure, if possi- 
ble, his wife. Arriving in the vicinity of Hannibal he learned that 
she had been sold and removed to some unknown place, and all 
efforts to learn of her whereabouts were unavailing, and he never 
saw or heard from her. But, then, according to high judicial au- 
thority, negroes have no rights which white men are bound to re- 
spect. Oh, shame I 

Train Captured. — During the series of years in which the 
Underground Railroad was in operation, but one accident occurred 
in this county. The agent at Round Prairie, with a consignment 
of five negroes, started one night to deliver them to the agent 
here; but in the darkness, lost his way, and found himself in the 
hollow near the residence of David Chrisman, a well known pro- 
slavery character in this county. Leaving his wagon, he took the 
negroes across lots to the station, Avhere, leaving them, he returned 
to his wagon. As it happened, this Chrisman with some boon 
companions, had been out until a late hour that night, and in 
returning home, discovered the wagon in the road, ('ailing out 
and receiving no answer, they searched and found it empty. Sur- 
mising the object for which it had been used, they determined on 
waiting the return of the owner, and endeavor to extort from him 
a confession. After a lapse of an hour or two, the agent and 
owner of wagon returned, and was confronted by lialf a dozen 
men, who by threats endeavored to secure a confession of his acts, 



I1I8T0KV OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 275 

demanding that he make a "clean breast" of it, and tell them the 
number ot neg-roes, and the time they were expected to start on 
the next stage of their journey, for said they, "We mean to have 
them any how." They found the man very ignorant as to facts, 
and very uncommunicative. Hoping to frighten him into a revela- 
tion of such facts as they desired to know, they told him he was 
their prisoner, and that they should take him to Macomb and 
put him in jail. Knowing they could have no warrant for his 
arrest, he took the matter very coolly, and parleyed with them 
until they were satisfied they could get no information from him, 
when they left. Thinking it would not do for him to return and 
warn the agent of his danger, he returned home and started a 
neighbor back to give the necessary warning. All the next day 
the agent's house was closely watched and guarded by these 
negro catchers, and about dusk, the agent thinking to throw 
them off their guard, arranged a covered wagon in which he 
threw some chaft" and started his brother off' with it as if in a 
hurry to get away. He then took negroes across lots, hoping 
that he would be unobserved. The ruse was suspected by the 
other party, who failed to follow the wagon, and as the agent and 
his freight were emerging from a field, they were confronted and 
ordered to surrender. The negroes all broke and run, all escap- 
ing but one, who was captured and taken to Macomb and placed 
in jail to await the call of his master, who would claim him as 
his slave. When the master of the slave called to prove his 
property, Chrisman claimed a reward and was told by the man 
that he might go to the region ot the unredeemed, that when he 
hired him to catch his negroes, he would pay him, and not before. 
The agent of the U. G. li. was in considerable dread of being 
arrested for a violation of the fugitive slave law, but luckily it 
was never done. If taken, he knew his fine would be paid by 
friends, but the three years in the penitentiar}' he would have to 
serve alone. 

A White Ni'(/ro.- — Xot every fugitive that escaped was black ; 
one that came through a few years before the war was as 
white as any pure Caui;asian that ever lived. He had light hair, 
light, sandy whiskers, and eyes and nose tiiat showed no signs of 
the negro blood. Our informant says he could not believe there 
was a drop of such blood in him, but that he was a white man 
who had in childhood been captured and enslaved. When he ar- 
rived at the McDonough countv station ho was armed with a re- 



276 HISTORY OF m'donougii county. 

volver and bowie knife, and expressed a determination never to be 
taken back alive, llis back w^as lacerated in a terrible manner, 
there being great scars upon it that could never be effaced, made 
by the scourgings he had received. When being taken to the 
Fulton county station, on his way north, he was advised to lay 
down in the wagon, but this he would not do, stating that he was 
as white as any man. and would exercise a white man's privilege. 
He succeeded in reaching the "promised land." 

"Gioine to Jine the Yankee Church.'' — Tom was a likely negro 
boy about uineteeu years of age, inclined to be a little wild and 
to give more or less trouble. Still he probably meant well. He 
had been severely whipped on several occasions for various misde- 
meanors, and large welts were made upon bis back, and scars that 
remained there for years. For some ottense he was again promised 
a whipping. His master tied his hands behind him, and leaving 
him in the kitchen went out to procure a suitable withe with 
which to administer the Hogging. With no idea of making a 
final escape, but with the thought of escaping a severe castigation, 
Tom ran out and awaj', and while running worked his arms so as 
to loosen the rope and allow one hand to got free. It was thus an 
easy matter to free the other which he soon did, but retained pos- 
session of the rope. His master, returning to the kitchen, and 
finding him gone, called his blood-hounds and set them on his 
track. As it happened, Tom had the care of these hounds from 
their birth, and with cunning slirewdness had trained them so as 
to make them afraid of him. From time to time, as the opportu- 
nity offered, he would take them out where their yelping would 
not be heard, and severely whip them, thus teaching them he was 
their master. This he did as he afterward averred from the fact 
that he did not know but some day they might be used against 
him. And it was well for him that such was the case. As the 
dogs came bounding on, Tom called them, and with the rope 
with which ho had been tied, gave them a severe whipping and 
sent them back. The efforts of his master were unavailing after 
this to make the dogs continue on his track; the consequence was 
that Tom escaped, and getting on the main line of the celebrated 
U. G. R. K., he was soon in the "land of the free." While stop- 
ping at Mr. John Blazer's, Tom related his experience and gave a 
short dissertation on religion. He said his master was a Presby- 
terian, and he despised the Presbyterians, and would never join 
that church. "Xo," said he, "when I get up norf I'se gwine to 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 277 

jine de Yankee church; Presln'terians are perfec' debbils, an' I'll 
iiebber jine de Presbyterians." Mr. Blazer was a Presbyterian at 
that time, and it amused him not a little to know he "was a per- 
fec' debbil." 

Presence of 311)1(1. — As illustrating the presence of mind of even 
the little children of the conductors on this road, we give the fol- 
lowing : 

A little son of Mr. Dobbins, about eight or nine years old, near 
[pava, Fulton county, while a number of negroes were hid in his 
father's barn, was sent regularly to carry them their food. On 
one occasion his mother had prepared the negroes' dinner, and 
placing it upon a tray, started her little boy with it to the barn. 
As he opened the dour on the porch he observed three or four 
neighboring women. To either go forward or return would ex- 
cite their suspicions, and quick as thought he began whistling for 
the dogs. His mother hearing him, and divining his reason, 
called out to him, " Don't throw that out to the dogs, bring it 
back here ; tliat's good." The boy quickly returned, and the un- 
welcome visitors never suspected anything wrong. 

A negro had escaped across the river at Quincy, and while 
quietly pursuing his way along the road to the old mill, was pur- 
sued by a couple of men on horseback. A little boy observing 
the situation, as the negro was at the forks of a road, called out 
to him, " Here, crawl under this pile of rails." The negro at once 
obeyed. When the men rode up they asked, "Boy did you see a 
black man pass along this road a little while ago ?" '• Yes," said 
the boy, " and he went right down that road as hard as he could 
go, and if you hurry you can catch him." Putting spurs to their 
horses, the men hurried on, and the bo}-, calling on the negro to 
come out quickly, hurried him on to the old mill, where he was 
safe from arrest, and soon on hisjourncy to the "Land of Canaan." 
"Whether the boy was justified in telling a lie to save the negro, 
we will leave to moralists to decide. 

We again quote from the "History of liound Prairie and Plym- 
outh " the following incident, located in this county : 

Going to 3Iarket. — At one time Mr. W. had a negro man in his 

charge that he determined to take to Macomb in an open wagon, 

his only conveyance, and make most of the trip by daylight. He 

filled a lot of sacks with light chaff from the barn floor, put some 

u— 18 



278 HISTORY OK m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

haj iu the bottom of the wagon, upon which he had the negro 
lie down at full length, and then piling the bogus sacks of grain 
upon him, he started about noon for Macomb, leaving any 
curious observers to infer — if the^^ chose to make inferences — that 
they were bound for market with a load of grain on a trading ex- 
pedition. All went well until they got a little beyond Crooked 
creek, which they crossed at Lamoine bridge. Here they met 
three men on horseback. Just as they were nearing each other, 
Mr. W. looked around to see if his load appeared all right. To 
his dismay, he found that the negro, weary of his constrained posi- 
tion, had drawn up one foot so that his knee protruded between 
the sacks. At a quick nudge the knee disappeared, leaving a fair 
surface again, but the movement had evidently attracted the at- 
tention of the horsemen. The load was scanned as they passed; 
they stopped their horses, turned around, watched sharply awhile, 
but failing to see any more suspicious movements among the 
sacks, and not comprehending what thej' had seen, they resumed 
their course and rode on. 

The negro got a sharp re[)Oof for the danger iijcurrcd l»y his ex- 
posure, as Mr. AV. drove on in a state of mind considerably excited 
by the narrow escape. As expected, night overtook them before 
reaching their destination. In the darkness they came upon a 
piece of road that had been lately changed. Mr. W. was at a loss 
which way to go, took the wrong road, and got hopelessly lost. 
There was no remedy but to inquire the way the first opportunity, 
and this was about the last thing he wanted to do, as the man he 
was looking for was Avell known as a prominent Underground 
Railroad man, and inquiries for him might lead to suspicions and 
revelations that would be very undesirable. Something must be 
done, however, so he went to the first house he saw, and roused 

the man from bed and asked the way to Mr. . The man 

seemed interested, came out in the yard to point out the way, and 
went toward the wagon just as he had got out of bed. Hoping 
to check his curiosity, Mr. AV. told him that his wife was in the 
wagon ; but the man went on to the gate, gave the necessar\' direc- 
tions, and then retired. 

The consignment was safely delivered at its destination, not- 
withstanding the real and supposed narrow escapes of the trip. 
It turned out that the curiosity and interest of the man that Mr. 
W. called up for information as to the way was notof a dangerous 
kind, as he was a son of the man for whom Mr. AV. sought, and 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 279 

suspecting the nature of his mission, very kindly interested hini- 
seit in pointing out the way to his father's house. 

We close this- chapter with the following incident, as a final 
closing act of the drama of the " Underground Railroad :" 

On the morning of the thirty-tirst of December, 1P62, two uegro 
men were taken from the Eastern bound train of the C. B, & Q. 
R. R., at the depot in Macomb, by a citizen of this county, who 
fhiimed they were runaway slaves, and who felt it his duty or 
privilege to take them back and deliver them over to the gentle 
and fatherly care of their " master." Whether this man had ever 
heard of the emancipation proclamation of President Lincoln or 
not we cannot say, but presume not, or if he had he regarded it 
as " unconstitutional," and therefore invalid. By returning them 
to their owner or owners he thought he would receive enough 
money to keep him in whisky and tobacco for some time. Atthis 
time the Eastern and Western bound trains connected at this 
point, and it was the design of this zealous fugitive slave law man 
to hurry the negroes on board the Western bound train and take 
them back. Luckily this train was a few minutes late. John Q. 
Lane was at that time the City Marshal, and happened to be at 
the depot, and the negroes made known to him their condition, 
stating they were traveling on a pass from their master, and that 
it had been taken from them by this advocate of the law. Mr 
Lane told them to get in the omnibus, and he would take care of 
them. By oaths and threats this was sought to be prevented, but 
the Marshal "didn't scare worth a cent." He took the negroes to 
the Randolph Hotel, where they were kept under guard that day 
and night. The party capturing them, inflamed by liquor, went 
to the hotel and demanded them of the landlord, the Hon. Wil- 
liam H. Randolph, who then occupied that position. Mr. R., not 
liking the style of the gentleman, ordered him from the house, 
and accelerated his speed by a not very gentle kick. The man 
left, swearing vengeance. The negroes were held by friends until 
12 o'clock at night, when they were informed that, agreeable to 
the proclamation of the President of the United States, they were 
free men, and could come and go as they pleased, being beholden 
to no man. 



280 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXIV 



COAL — STONE — CLAY. 



A careful study of chapter fourteen will give the reader a knowl- 
edge of the geological formation of McDonough county, includ- 
ing coal, stone, and clay; still we think a more detailed statement 
than there given of the items mentioned will be appreciated by all 
in whose hands this work may fall. 

Coal. — The area of the coal fields of McDonough is nearly, if 
not quite, co-extensive with its entire surface, having been found 
in every township, except "Walnut Grove. There are thirty-nine 
shafts and banks in active operation, affording employment to 
hundreds of men, some of whom work in the banks, while others 
are constantly engaged in hauling to our home markets and the 
towns surrounding. An average of twelve cars per day have been 
shipped from the town of Colchester, over the Chicago, Burling- 
ton and (^uincy Railroad, during the last five years. This is ex- 
clusive of that shipped for the sole use of the railroad company, 
which amounts to several cars more. An average of two cars is 
consumed in Macomb, while surrounding towns use as much more, 
making a total of twenty-four cars per day. There is no limit 
to the supply, as the bed? are inexhaustible. 

The coal of this county is regarded as the best in the State, 
and is used extensively in the manufacture of gas in several of 
our large western cities. 

Stone. — The quarries of McDonough county are becoming just- 
ly noted for their superior quality of freestone and sandstone. As 
remarked of coal, the supply is almost inexhaustible, and capable 
of meeting the demand for hundreds of years. West of Macomb 
a short distance are two or three quarries that have been worked 
for many years, and the rock from them used for building pur- 
poses have stood the test of time in a remarkable degree. Until the 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 281 

past year the stone has beeu used principally for foundation pur- 
poses, wells, and sidewalks. A few months ago Mr. Rowley, of 
New York, who, for many years has been the proprietor of the 
quarry known as Stuart's, having tested the stone in every conceiva- 
ble way, erected a factory for the purpose of manufacturing 
grindstones. lie has now in employ a large number of hands, 
and is turning out an article that is giving universal satisfaction. 
Shipments are being made daily to all parts of the United 
States, and we have no doubt in time this will be one of the insti- 
tions of the county. John McLean, Esq., of Macomb, at our re- 
quest, furnished us with the following statement of the quarry 
formerly worked by Hector McLean, Sr., and his three sons, Alex. 
John, and Duncan : 

"We commenced work in the Randolph quarry in the fall of 
1849, and in 1852 left, purchasing the interest of Swigart & 
I3roaddus in the quarry kiiown as Bartleson's, and considered the 
best freestone or sandstone in the State. The quarry was easy to 
work, having seams in every ledge, running the entire length. 
AVe frequently pried up stones 30x15 feet, flat and smooth, fitted 
for any kind of pavement, the ledges being from Ih inches, 
increasing in thickness to three feet, being the lowest ledge we 
W(^rked. 

"We had the quarry rented for four years at ten cents ppr 
perch. In 1857 we purchased one hundred and sixty acres of 
land on which the quarry was situated, of a Mr. Airy, of Phila- 
delphia, a brother of the late Mrs. Bartleson, of Macomb, for 
which we paid ^1,600 ; sold the same to C. N.Harding, Esq., in 1867, 
for §4,000. We worked in the quarry twelve years, in which 
time we averaged one thousand perches per year of all kinds of 
rock. 

"In looking over the accounts of some years, I find that we 
made as high as $3,500 per year, paying for extra labor, tools and 
powder for blasting purposes, $1,300. In these times this was 
considered 'big money.' We usually did all the business our- 
selves, having four yoke of oxen, and a large wagon capable of 
carrying five tons or four perches. The wagon was made by our 
former townsman, Sidney S. Chapman, and a splendid wagon it 
was, painted on the axle 1852, the year in which it Avas made. 
We quarried, hauled and built, receiving therefor $2.50 to §8.25 
per perch, according to wall."' 



282 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Besides the quarries mentioned, there is an excdlleut quality of 
stone near Industry, on Grindstone creek, of the same i^eneral 
character as the foregoing. 

Clay. — For the manufacture of drain tile, fire hrick, &g., we 
have an excellent clay, and already we have one or two very ex- 
tensive manufactories for these articles. Ilorrocks, Stevens & Co., 
Bardolph, are doing an excellent business in this line, their trade 
extending east and west for hundreds of miles. It is said that 
the fire brick manufactured is superior to the Kew Jersey article, 
which is so widely known. We have no doubt in addition to 
these articles mentioned, clay for the manufacture of Iron-stone 
China can be had of a superior quality. Capitalists would do 
well to investigate the subject. 



HISTOHY OK m'dONOIKJH (OUNTV. 283 



CHAPTER XXV, 

m'donough county agricultural society. 

Oil the sixteenth day of April, 1855, a few citizens of this coiiuty, 
interested in Agricultural and Mechanical Arts, met in Ma- 
comb for the purpose of eflecting an organization, having for its 
object improvement in the same. W. J. Merritt was called to the 
Chair, and S. K. Pedrick appointed Secretary. Remarks were 
made by various persons, and the feasibility and importance of the 
proposed organization discussed. A Constitution and By-Laws 
were then adopted, and the following officers elected for one year : 
President, Thompson Chandler; Vice Presidents, Joseph Lownes, 
William Brooking and S. K. Pedrick ; Corresponding Secretary, 
L. Jl. Waters ; Secretary, Joseph E. Wyne ; Treasurer, Joseph P. 
Updegrafi. An Executive Committee was also appointed, and 
books opened for membership. 

The committee and officers entered at once upon the discharge 
of their duties ; a fair was announced to be held on the second 
Thursday in October, continuing two days, and a list of awards 
were made out and a speaker engaged to deliver an address — 
Thomas Camp, a practical farmer of the county. 

The old college grounds, now owned by Prof. Branch, was se- 
cured for the purpose of holding the fair. Says the Macomb En- 
terprise of October 25th. 

" Our county fair exceeded our most sanguine expectations. 
The weather was delightful, and the attendance on both days was 
very large. AVhat sur[)rised us most was the number of articles 
on exhibition." 

Then followed a description of some of the most important, 
among which was Cy. Lawson's 800 pound pig, Broaddus' plows, 
Ilarker's hay rake. Price's washing machine, IIari*is' churn, some 
" 'orful' pumpkins, potatoes, wheat, and the handiwork of some 
of McDonough's fair daughters." 



284 iirsTORY OF m'donough county. 

The officers, we believe, were all continued, and a fair an- 
nounced for Thursday and Friday, October 9tli and 10th, 1856. 
This exhibition was an improvement upon the other, and we may 
here remark that all exhibitions since have contined to improve. 
The exhibition was hold at the same place as the year before, but 
the ground was found entirely too small for the purpose. Thomas 
E. Brannan delivered a most excellent address, and all were well 
pleased with the success of the Societ3\ 

The next year the fair was held in the pasture of Thompson 
Chandler, in the northwest part of the town. Like those pre- 
viously held, the fair was a success in almost every respect, and it 
was determined that renewed efforts should be made to make the 
society efficient and permanent. The grounds were leased from 
Thompson Chandler, fenced and cleared for the purpose of hold- 
ing the annual exhibitions, in which the people all manifested 
considerable interest. The fourth annual fair was held on these 
grounds, which are now known as the old fair grounds, and was 
well attended. 

We cannot well help drawing a contrast between the fairs then 
and now. At that time, although they were spoken of as being 
successful, yet the entries were few indeed, in comparison to what 
are now made each year. For years that old white bull of 
Thompson Chandler's was the principal attraction. Blooded 
stock was then scarce indeed. ISTo such tine herds of cattle as 
are now owned and exhibited each year by Joseph Lownes, the 
Hustons and others ; no such droves of hogs as Work, Dixon 
and others show ; no imported horses like those of Westfall, 
Gloyd, Brooking, Rexroat and others own. Floral hall, at an 
early day, would blush if placed side by side with the magniticent 
structure now owned by the Society, and filled each year to over- 
flowing. 

For the first four or five years two days was all-sufficient to 
exhibit the few articles placed on exhibition. After this the 
society required three, then four, then five days, and now the en- 
tire week is required to satisfy the thousands who annually attend 
the McDonough county fair, the reputation of which is extending 
year by year, and even now it is no mean competitor to the State 
fair. Articdos ar(^ now brought to its exhibitions from all parts of 
the State, while other States, and even the Dominion of Canada, 
have contributed to its exhibitions. 



HISTORY OF m'D0N0U(;II COUNTY. 285 

The Society has been uniformly fortunate in its choice of offi- 
cers. Thompson Chandler, the father of it, exerted himself nobly 
to make its exhibitions successful, and great credit is due to him 
for carrying it through the tirst years of its existence. Messrs. 
Joseph Lownes, J. P. Updegraff, William Pointer, Amos Dixon, 
and E. C. Knapp have each labored to promote the best interests 
of the Society, Joseph Burton, as Secretary, was an indefatigable 
worker, spending a great amount of time and money to Vjring the 
Society up to its present high standard. 

During the last two years. Dr. W. O. Blaisdell has been Presi- 
dent, and W. H. Ilainiine, Secretarj-. These two gentlemen have 
co-operated together well in behalf of the Society, and are fully 
determined not to retrograde, or even stand still, their motto being 
•'onward and upward." There are no obstacles which they do not 
feel able to overcome, and which they will not overcome, if zeal, 
combined with pluck, will accomplish anything. The last two 
years there has been continued rain during the weeks of the 
fair; but notwithstanding, the people tur-ned out very well, and 
the Society was enabled, from their receipts, to pay oii entire their 
large premium lists, dollar for dollar, as well as all their outstand- 
ing contracts. "VVe do not believe there is another County Pair 
in the State that can say as much. 

In 1867 the Society purchased their present grounds just south 
of the city, on which they have made improvements, including 
price of land, of over $10,000, They now own the finest and 
most convenient grounds in the State, and year by year, as their 
means will warrant, will continue to improve them. 

The past year (1876) was the tirst in which it can be said there 
Avas anything having the appearance of a failure, and this not in 
respect to the number of articles on exhibition. Every depart- 
ment was well represented, but the elements combined against it, 
the rain pouring down almost constantly, so that the attendance 
was not one-fourth that of ordinary years. For twenty-one 
years the Society had paid its premiums dollar for dollar, with no 
debts ever protested. This year, however, the Society could only 
pay lifty cents on the dollar, and only that by the stockholders 
being assessed a very heavy per cent. 

The present Officers and Board of Directors are as follows : 
President, AV, O, Blaisdell ; Vice-President, Aaron P, McKee ; 
Secretary, W. TI. Ilainiine ; Treasurer, C. V, Chandler ; Directors, 
T, Chandler, J, C. Moore, A. V. Brooking and J. AV. Mcintosh. 



286 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

These men are all tried and true, and Avill work with a will to 
make the exhibitions ot the Society first class. 

In 1870, the McDonough County Stock Association was re^ni- 
larly incorporated, and held its first exhibition in July of that 
year. Exhibitions ^vere also lield in '1871 and 1872. In 1873 the 
Association failed to have an exhibition, and the following* year it 
united its fortunes with the Agricultural Society, and the two 
combined are now known as the McDonough County Agricul- 
tural and Stock Association. 

Every citizen of the county should take an interest in the ex- 
hibitions of this Society, and should use his utmost endeavors to 
make the annual meetings a success. Xothing tends more to in- 
cite men to action than the comparison of stock or the products 
of each, and we attribute in a great measure the advanced step 
taken by our people in the production of fine stock and the growth 
of the various products to the exhibitions previously held. 



iiisTOKV OF m"i)onou<;h county. 287 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



BLACK LAWS. 



The eurly settlers of this county, although mainly from the 
Southern or slave States, entertained a deep-seated prejudice 
against the negro, for which it is hard for us to account at the 
present day. This prejudice, we may remark, was not held alto- 
gether and only in this county, for by referring to the Revised 
Statutes of this State, approved March 3, 1845, we tind the 
following in chapter 54, under the head of '-Xegroes and Mu- 
lattoes" : 

Section 8. Auy person who shall hereinafter bring into this State any black or 
mulatto person, in order to free him or her from slavery, or shall directly or indirectlj 
bring into this State, or aid or assist any person in bringing, any such black and 
mulatto person to settle and reside therein, shall be fined one hundred dollars on convic- 
tion on indictment, or before any justice of the peace in the county where such offen.se 
shall be committed. 

Sec. 9. If any slave or servant shall be found at a distance of ten miles from the 
tenement of his or her master, or person with whom he or she lives, without a pass or 
some letter or token whereby it may appear that he or she is proceeding by authority 
from his or her master, employer or overseer, it shall and may be lawful for any person 
to apprehend and carry him or her before a justice of the peace, to be by his order pun- 
ished with stripes, not exceeding thirty-five, at his discretion. 

Sec. 10. If any slave or servant shall presume to come and be upon the plantation or 
at the dwelling of any person whatsoever, without leave from his or her owner, not 
being sent upon lawful business, it shall be lawful for the owner of such lilantation, or 
dwelling house to give or order such slave or servant ten lashes on his or her bare back. 

Sec. 12. If any person or persons shall permit or suffer any slave or slaves, servant 
or servants of color, to the number of thre.^ or more, to assemble in his, her or their 
outhouse, yard or shed, for the purpose of dancing or revelling, either by night or by 
day, the person or persons so offending shall forfeit and pay the sum of twenty dollar.^ 
with cost to any person or persons who will sue for and recover the same by action of 
debt or indictment, in any court of record proper to try the same. 

Sec. l^^. It shall be the duty of all coroners, sheriffs, judges and justices of tht> 
peace, who shall see or know of, or lie informed of any such assemblage of slaves or 
servants immediately to commit such slave or servants to the jail of the county, and on 
view or proof thereof order each and every such slave or servant to be whii)ped, not 
exceeding thirty-nine stripes on his or her bare back. 



288 HISTORY OF m'dONOUCSII COUNTY. 

At a meeting held iu Macomb, as early as 1884, it was resolved 
by the peo})le assembled that they would enforce section 8 of the 
statute given above. About this time a Mr. Kiggs and a Mr. 
Thompson brought each a mulatto woman with them to this 
county ; Mr. Thompson settled in Macomb, while Mr. Riggs set- 
tled on a farm a short distance from town. But little time was 
lost in notifying the parties that the law would be enforced. 
Some resistance was at first offered, but the negroes were removed. 
By reference to the census reports we find the highest number 
reported in this county previous to 18(30, at any one time, was 
seven. Therefore, we judge the law was strictly enforced. 

Some years ago the Hon. AV. II. ISToece, of Macomb, was in the 
city of Monmouth, when he stepped into a barber shop for a 
shave. The barber was a colored man. While shaving him, he 
asked Mr. Keecc where he was from, and the response w^as given, 
"Macomb."' "Well," said he, "I went to Macomb once, about 
eighteen or twenty years ago, to start a barber shop. I only 
stayed about twenty-four hours, for a man called Jim Campbell 
came to me and told me I had better get out ob dar, as that was a 
white man's town. I left.'' 

Notwithstanding his antipathy to the negro, Mr. C, has a warm 
spot about him, as witness the following which will be vouched 
for by the parties named : In 1856, he was a delegate to the Dem- 
ocratic National Convention which was to meet in Cincinnati, 
and which afterwards nominated James Buchanan, for President. 
In going to that city, Mr. C. took the train at Macomb for Quin- 
cy, where he was to meet other delegates in whose company he 
was to continue his journey. On board the same train, going to 
Quincy, was Joseph E. Wyne, Jack Price, Frank Whitson, and 
other Macomb boys,'With wiiom jMr. Campbell engaged in con- 
versation, discussing, of course, the political questions of the day. 
As known, the Republican party was just coming into promi- 
nence, and Mr. C. denounced the members of it as abolitionists, 
negro stealers, etc. Becoming tired of this, he began to relate 
experiences in liis early life. He said he was born in Kentucky, 
where his father at one period of his life, owned a number of 
slaves. Becoming involved, he was compelled to sell them for 
transportation down the river. Among the number was a negro 
lad named Bob, about his own age, with whom he had eaten and 
played many a day. He stated he never felt as bad in his life as 
he did when ho saw Bob sold and carried away. Mr. Wyne then 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 289 

asked him the question : "Mr. Campbell, suppose Bob wouM 
come to your house some night, and tell you his master had 
mistreated him, and that he was compelled to run away, that 
he was without money, had nothing to eat during the day, and 
was nearly naked, what would you do?" Rising to his feet, he 

excitedly replied ; "By if such a thing as that should happen, 

I would take him in, give him something to eat, I would clothe 
him, and give him money, and tell him to break for Canada!" 

As late as the year 1861, an indictment was found against Geo. 
W. Reed, the present corcner of the county, under the "black 
law" for bringing a negro into the state. "When the case was 
called in the Circuit Court, the Judge and Prosecuting Attorney 
threw it out — the law being virtually a dead letter. 



290 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH CCUNTV, 



CHAPTER XXVIL 



RESOURCES OF THE COUNTY, 



AVe propose in this chapter to give a short summary of such 
matters as will show clearly the business and resources of Mc- 
Douough count}'. To the thoughtful and intelligent reader these 
items will be invaluable, and we commend them to the capitalists 
of the country as showing truthfully the situation at present writ- 
ing, Xovember, 187G. By a careful examination will be seen : — 
1. The extent of our territory. 2. The available proportion. 3. 
The variety of its productions. 4. Value as a stock county. 5. 
Extent of manufactures. (3. Openings for capital. 

Exfint of Territory. — McDonough county is square, having 
within its boundaries sixteen townships of thirty-six square miles 
each, or a total of five hundred and seventy' six square miles. In 
each square mile there are six hundred and forty acres, which 
makes a grand total of three hundred and sixty-eight thousand 
six hundred and forty acres. 

Iiiqrroced Land. — By this statement is meant such lands as may 
be enclosed and value enhanced by cultivation; by erection of 
buildings or in the manufacture of articles of profit. It is cus- 
tomar}' in the assessment of real estate to call any traot improved 
that has any portion under cultivation or used to increase values. 
Taking out for woodland, marshes, creeks and sloughs, the num- 
ber of acres adapted to cultivation are three hundred thousand. 

Ummprorcd Tjands. — The proportion of unimproved land, aa 
fihown in the table given elsewhere, is small, being less than one- 
twelfth of the entire land in the county. Tlie greater portion of 
this never will be brought under cultivation, although much of it 
is of great value, being underlaid with coal, and having on it 
.several valuable quarries of stone. Several of our finest farms 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 291 

were once thought to he as valueless as much of this unimproved 
land now seems to be, and it may be that a considerable part of it 
will 3'et be cultivated. 

Real and Fcr.^onal Property. — For the wealtli of the county, the 
statement in the table given of personal property, town lots and 
lands, will give a fair idea. We learn from this that the aggre- 
gate value of the three classes of property named is .^14,450,627, 
an average of ^451.56 to every man, woman and child. 

Wheat. — While wheat is decidedly preferred to all other grain, 
and next to corn is the most important raised in the count}', yet 
for a few years past the yield has been light and the qualit}^ poor ; 
indeed, the average yield of the crop has scarcely compensated 
for the outlay of seed and hxbor. In the early settlement of the 
county abundant crops were raised, and of a superior quality, 
winter wheat being principally sown. Of late years spring wheat 
has taken its place, the cause being that the winter wheat has 
nearly always been killed by the severe cold of our winters. 
There were sown the past year 21,343 acres in wheat, the yield 
being very small — not sufficient for home consumption. 

Corn. — A.mong the products of McDonough county, as well as 
generalh^ in the United States, corn takes the precedence as being 
the most profitable and peculiarly adapted to our soil. There were 
in cultivation in this county, during the past year, 121,215 acres 
ot this grain, being about two-fifths of all the land under cultiva- 
tion. The average yield is generally about fifty bushels, but in 
consequence of the late rainy season this year (1876), the average 
will fall far below that amount. In many places the crop was an 
entire failure, but on rolling lands, well drained, as high as eighty 
bushels to the acre were realized. The yield this year Avill amount 
to about 4,000,000 bushels, scarcely more than will supply home 
demand, the majority of the farmers having stock sufficient to feed 
more than they raised. Many farmers do not pretend to sell a 
bushel any season, because they find it more profitable to feed it 
to the stock than to sell in its bulky condition. The general mar- 
ket price of corn varies from thirty to forty cents per bushel, oc- 
casionally declining to twenty five cents, but often advancing to 
fifty cents. 

Oats. — When considered in connection with the artificial 
grasses, and the nourishment and improvement it affords to live 
stock, especialh' the horse, this grain may be considered as one of 



292 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY, 

the most important crops wo produce. Its yield is generally 
abundant and protitabie. The past year the crop was exceedingly 
light, greatly to the surprise of nearly all the farmers, the indica- 
tions in the early part of" the season being that an abundant crop 
would be realized. Although making nearly the average in bulk, 
in weight it fell far short, in many instances taking two bushels 
in measurement to make one in weight. The usual yield is from 
thirty-five to forty-five bushels per acre. This year it will proba- 
bly not be over sixteen and a half. There were 20,171 acres sown, 
which will equal 342,970 bushels as the amount raised. The 
general market price varies from twenty-five to forty cents per 
bushel. 

Other Products. — Under this head are included rye, barley, 
buckwheat, potatoes, and such other articles as are commonly 
cultivated in small quantities. Allotted to the use of these pro- 
ducts the past year were 7,435 acres. 

Rye and Barley. — These grains are generally a sure crop, and 
the yield heavy ; but there being no home demand, and the gen- 
eral market price so low, that other grains are more profitable ; 
consequently but a small portion of the land is allotted to their 
culture. 

Buckwheat. — This grain is but little cultivated in this county, in 
fact, not enough to supply home consumption. It is not profit- 
able, so the farmers say. 

Potatoes. — The common Irish potato, so extensively cultivated 
in most of the temperate climates of the globe because of its 
value as an item of daily food, is regarded of but little less im- 
portance than corn or wheat. In this county the yield is gener- 
ally heavy. The Colorado bug, which, for several years has been 
so destructive of the potato, destroying the vine before the potato 
matures, this year did not make its appearance to any considera- 
ble extent. It is hoped that the days of this enemy of the potato 
are numbered. The general market value is extremely fluctua- 
ting, ranging all the way from fifteen cents to two dollars per 
bushel, though most commonl}' selling at about fifty cents per 
bushel. The average yield is about one hundred and fifty bush- 
els to the acre, which makes it one of the most valuable products 
raised. 

Meadow. — The hay crop is becoming one of great importance. 
The vast prairies of McDonough county affording an abundant 



HISTORY OF M'DONurtill eoTNTV. 293 

yield, which, with the httle labor required to raise it, and the 
generally fair market price, makes it a very profitable article of 
culture, besides it enables the farmer to rest his land. The prin- 
cipal kinds grown are timothy and red clover, the former being 
superior to all others. The market price of this staple article 
varies from six dollars to twelve dollars per ton, seldom falling 
below or raising above these figures. The last season there were 
assigned to the cultivation of grass in this county 31,980 acres, 
which produced fully two tons per acre, making a total yield of 
63,980 tons. 

Pasture. — The number of acres of pasturage at present in this 
county is 52,426. This is used for pasturing cattle, almost every 
farmer having a few acres enclosed for that purpose. Some of 
the land is woodland, and can be used for no other purpose, but 
being good grazing and well watered makes it valuable. 

Wood Land. — As will be seen by our table, McDonough 
county is largely prairie land, although there are many streams 
and large creeks running through, it, which are bordered by tim- 
ber. Said timber does not extend a great distance, the wood 
land being reported to the assessors as only 44,976 acres, or about 
one-eighth of the entire amount. The timber land is principally 
in the western townships. The principal varieties are white, red 
and black oak, hickory, elm, white and black walnut, birch, etc. 
This land is not considered as valuable now as it was in the ear- 
lier history of the county, when it was deemed essential by every 
farmer that he should have the greater part of his farm in tim- 
ber, that he might have sufficient for building purposes, fencing 
and fuel. The question of supply and demand for the timber 
puzzled our fathers greatly, but it has been effectually solved by 
the introduction of the railroad. 

Horses. — According to the table given elseAvhcre, tliere are 13,- 
883 horses in this county, with an average assessed value of S45.35. 
The character of the horse has been greatly improved in the past 
few years. In 1870, Dr. B. R. Westfall, J. M. lieynolds and John 
(J. Moore went to France and purchased four large, fine Xorman 
horses. They were the first ever imported into the county. Pre- 
vious to this, all breeding horses were of common stock, and 
making the venture to secure better breed was a new era in horse 
raising in the county. Whether it would prove successful or not, 
time alone would tell. In 1873, Dr. AVestfall again went to France 
H— 19 



294 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

and imported four more, while B. F. Gloyd went to Canada and 
purchased three large, splendid Clydesdales. Other horses have 
eince been imported by other parties, making fifteen in all. Colts 
by the first importation were sold as high us six hundred dollars 
each, and we have known yearlings to sell from one hundred and 
sixty to two hundred and ten dollars each. There is an increased 
demand for imported horses, and the breeding of the better class 
is getting to be a source of revenue to the county. All our best 
farmers are manifesting an interest in the business, and we believe 
the time will soon come when McDonough county will take rank 
with some of the principal counties in Ohio, where the raising of 
fine horses has been made a specialty for years, and where a 
greater revenue is derived than from all other stock. The ques- 
tion, "Will it pay to raise the better class of horses?" has been 
fully and satisfactorily answered in the affirmative. It costs no 
more to raise a good horse than a poor one, and the remuneration 
is more than double. Many car loads are shipped from this county 
each year. 

Cattle. — In cattle McDonough county is fast taking a leading 
position. With thousands of acres of excellent pasture land, 
with living streams of water the year round, together with the 
large amount of grain raised in our midst, makes cattle raising a 
very profitable business. For some years past Rigdon Huston, of 
Blandinsville township, and Joseph Lownes & Son, of New Salem, 
have been devoting their time to the improvement of this class of 
stock. They have now herds that will rank with any in the 
State, and are constantly adding to the number, variety and qual- 
ity of their stock. Both of these men have animals that cost 
them thousands of dollars each, and which are of pure blood and 
undoubted pedigree. We can say with respect to cattle wdiat we 
remarked in relation to horses, it costs no more to raise the better 
class than it does the poorer, and the profit is much greater. 
Thousands of head are shipped each year from this county — 
enough to average about seven hundred cars each year for the 
past six years, or al)Out two and one-third cars per day. Accord- 
ing to our table, in May last there were 38,123 head in the county, 
assessed at an average of |14.29 each. Many of this number, of 
course, are milch cows. 

Mules and Asses. — ISTotwithstanding these animals will do more 
with the same amount of care, they do not appear to be a favor- 
ite with our farming community, there being only 1383 head, or 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 295 

just one-teuth as niii'ij as we liave horses. The average value at 
which they are assessed is $50 84 each. 

Sheej). — There has been a remarkable decrease in the number 
of sheep raised in McDonough county during the past few years, 
caused by the low price ot wool in the general markets. During 
the war wool growing was a most profitable business! and largely 
engaged in by our farmers, but the demand for woolen goods has 
decreased greatly, and the prices realized so small, that other busi- 
ness is now much more profitable. We have now in this county 
only 6,424 head of sheep, with an average assessed value of %1 97 
each. 

Swine. — This class of stock has received more attention from 
our farmers than any other, and has generally been the most 
profitable. The American nation seems "hoggishly" inclined, and 
the prices ruling in the market have been such as to tempt our 
farmers to invest more largely in these animals than in all others 
combined. Notwithstanding the large number that have yearly 
been carried off with the cholera, none seem to abandon the busi- 
ness of raising the stock. The breed of hogs has been greatly 
improved within the past few years by the introduction of the 
J^.'nglish Berkshire, Chester White and Poland China. From 
these and other varieties various crosses have been obtained which 
have proven even more profitable to fatten than the thorough- 
breds. J. M. & S. Work have done much to improve this class of 
stock, and deserve the thanks of the whole county. Doubtless 
some remedy or preventative will soon be discovered which will 
greatly lessen the loss of swine by cholera and like diseases, if 
not altogether be driven from among them. The large yield of corn, 
the readiness with which the hog fattens, and the advanced mar- 
ket price affords abundant compensation to the farmer or stock- 
raiser. During the past four years there has been an average of 
72,000 head of hogs shipped from this county, which, counting 
250 pounds each, and in the market netting $6 per hundred, would 
make a revenue to the county each year of $1,080,000. Accord- 
ing to our table, we have only 46,446 head, but it must be l)orne 
in mind the table was compiled in May last when there are a less 
number than any other season in the year, sucking pigs never be- 
ing counted and nearly all the marketable hogs shipped. The 
assessment figures will never, therefore, show the true number, 
for many pigs that are not assessed before the next yearly assess- 
ment are shipped to the markets. 



296 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Orchards. — As u country grows older, the more extensive her 
orchards and abundant her fruit crop. McDonough county now 
ranks among the foremost fruit-growing counties in the State — 
l)oth in regard to the quantity and the quality of the fruit grown. 
In this countj^ we have now 3,331 acres devoted to this purpose, 
which, if we calculate eighty trees to the acre, would make a to- 
tal of 206,480. This number is divided up into the different 
kinds of fruit grown, such as apple, pear, peach and plum. 

Apple. — The greater part of the land devoted to the cultivation 
of fruit is used for raising this variety, the principal kinds grown 
being jenneting, winesap, rambo, bellflow^er, Ben. Davis, ffonathan, 
Pennsylvania red streaks, red June and early harvest. These are 
now considered standard. Formerly were grown to a considera- 
ble extent Roxbury russet, Rhode Island greenings, iialdwin, 
white winter pearmain, and peonix. At present there are an av- 
erage of 1,000,000 bushels raised in this county each year, and 
the amount is constantly increasing — the greater number of trees 
hardly yet reaching maturity, while additions are made each 
year. During the month of October, 1876, there were shipped 
from Alacomb 30,000 bushels, and in the same time w^ere manufac- 
tured into cider at the same place 42,000 bushels. These were all 
grown in the immediate vicinity of that place. The apple crop is 
generally sure each year, there never having yet been an entire 
failure, though one or two years it has been short. A good price 
is generally realized from this fruit, and it is found of very profit- 
able culture. About six hundred bushels to the acre is now con- 
sidered an average crop, our trees yet being young. As the 
orchards become older, the average will be greater. 

Peaches, Pears and Plums. — These are not especially adapted to 
our climate, and seldom yield enough to justify their culture. 
The quality of the peach is very poor; formerly large quantities 
and good qualities were raised, but climatic (dianges have oper- 
ated against them. The pear and plum trees grow well, but the 
fruit is generally poor, the pear being (destroyed by a blight, and 
the plum by the curcuiio. 

Cherries. — The principal varieties of this fruit grown are the 
English Morello, Early Richmond, and May Duke, the two for- 
mer being superior to the latter and more liable to bear. The 
yield is usually large and of a superior quality. 



HISTORY OF M'DONOnGII COUNTY. 297 

Grapes. — This fruit is becoming one of the staple products of the 
county, the yield generally being very heavy, where the proper 
care and attention is given. The market is good and at prices 
that make its culture profitable. The varieties mostly cultivated 
are the Concord, Delaware, Hartford Prolific, Isabella, and Ca- 
tawba. The manufacture of the grape into wine is found quite 
remunerative and is being entered into quite extensively by fruit 
growers. 

ISmall Fruit. — The small fruits cultivated in this county are the 
currant, gooseberry, blackberry, raspberry and strawberry, all of 
which yield well and are found quite profitable. The quality of 
each is good. It has only been in the last four or five years that 
any attention has been given to the raising of small fruit, but as 
it is shown that it can be made to pay, doubtless, many others 
Avill enter into the business. 

Carriages and Wagons. — McDouougli county appears well sup- 
plied witii vehicles of all kinds, and as the [country grows in 
wealth more will be used, especially of the finer grade. 

Since writing the above another crop has been harvested, which 
has been much more abundant than that of 1876. For 1877 the 
wheat crop was better than for many years. The quality is also 
much better than usual. Owing to heavy and almost continual 
rains in the spring the prospect for a good corn crop was unfav- 
orable, but even this is fully an average crop. In many townships 
the yield will be larger than in 1876. There were planted in 1877, 
in number, 116,355 acres against 121,215 in 1876. The potato 
crop will be very large, the season being very favorable and the 
potato bug hardly being known. A larger yield ot hay was pro- 
duced than in any year of the county's histor3^ The only products 
of the county that approximates a failure is the fruit, but little of 
any kind being raised, scarcely enough for home consumption. 

We here subjoin several tables of statistics, which speak for 
themselves, and to which we invite attention. The tables show 
the assessed value of the articles given, wiiich is much below the 
real worth of the property. The State Board of Equalization 
reduced the amount reported by the assessors twenty-nine per cent, 
which if added would largely increase the amount. In the first 
table we have given such years as we could find. Previous to the 
year 1857 there were no abstracts made of assessments, so we 
were compelled to gather the statistics from difterent papers on 



298 



HISTORY OF M DONOUGH COUNTY. 



file in the office of the County Clerk. It will be observed that 
there is a vast increase in 1873, which is accounted for by saying 
that previous to that time assessments were made on a basis of 
from one-third to one-fifth the cash value; while now they are 
made on the estimated cash value. The tables will be interesting 
as showing the growth and prosperity of the county during the 
vears of its existence. 



TABLE OF ASSESSMENTS OF REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY OF SUCH YEARS AS 
ARE ATTAINABLE, FROM 1830 TO 1876, INCLUSIVE. 



Year. 


Personal 
property. 


Lands. 


Town lots. 


Railroad 
property. 


Total. 


1830 '. 


526,742 

31,625 

42,764 

109,714 

313,883 

346,669 

1,071,008 

2,039,445 

1,339,795 

1,020,283 

906.409 

884,828 

810,052 

1,026,247 

1,157,347 

1,4 19,, 560 

2,400,879 

1,575,402 

942,022 

813,313 

742,678 

763,508 

4,413,028 

1,981,429 

1,935, ('82 

3,078,798 










1831 










1832 










1835 










1839 


$827,305 
982,350 
2.556,488 
4,334,732 
3,769,415 
2.822,511 
2,831,593 
2.307,265 
2,153,711 
2,377,702 
2,437,449 
2,. 514, 8,54 
4,432,449 
3.260,872 
2,845,794 
2,823.954 
2,811,610 
2,735,419 
10.731,833 
9,303,589 
8,817,400 
8,632,325 








1850 


$71,761 
287,983 






1,8.55 






1856 






1858 


615,654 

527,710 

529,447 

447,265 

400,533 

411,365 

419,219 

523,888 

912,557 

738.463 

513,479 

460,978 

438.689 

432,213 

1,781,116 

1,644,030 

1,620,2.50 

1,493,394 


$482,936 
S93,,5S0 
395,440 
400,503 
372,118 
400,533 
176,308 
183,137 
243,276 
306,793 
.326,275 
■ 302,444 
350,308 
363,355 
1.890,838 
1,204,692 
738,862 


$6, 207, 800 


1859 


4,764,084 


1860 


4,662,889 


1861 


4,040,201 


1862 


3,736,412 


1863 


4,215,881 


18M 


4,190,323 


1865 


4,641,439 


1867 

1868 


8,471,384 
6,279 922 


1869 


4, 027,. 570 


1870 


4,400.689 


1871 


4,342,276 


1872 


4,294,495 


1873 


18,516,815 


1874 


16,066,2'25 


1875 


14, 947, .390 


1876 


13,711,765 









HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY 



299 



Woodland — No. of acres. 



Pasture— No. of acres., 



Pasture— No. of acres. 



Other Products— No. of 
No. of acres 



Meadow— No. of acres..., 



«, M X o rH lo -x oi a-. 1-; -a ;<: oi : ci o S 






t-Hi^Of^-rco— ''-'t^^^. 



COCCCOC^rtt~OJ'->TJ<i-lrHCimr-lr-<C^'"cO 



Jg Se o n? 00 51 ;- oo^ «r i^ ^ o o C5 !-. op 



ic «: oc x o 






cc i^ 00 iri »o cc c^ lO 



?; — SS^S^SJ'^Sifooi.ret-oi- 
cii -T -r 00 ic c^i uc o u'^ 00 Ci o ;c ^H -^ en ,-. 

C^ rH ,-1 rl i-Tof (M''c^''r-ri-H'e^''tNi-l''r-rr-rr-rm 



Oats — No. of acres.. 



Corn— No. of acres. 



Wheat— No. of acres. 



f;:--rccpcici^oc^O'.oo»-<oO'<j'c^ooo 

Hi^^^ii^lEOOOOOOMOOiCl^SSo 

rr 1^ L.C o o o i~ cc uc i.-; i^ to .-. 00 cc U CT 



o lit -^ u: o c: 00 ift a: 1-- CO 1- w X' TT o c^ 
t^ CC <» Tt* -^ CC r- 00 l~- iC lO i^'cc'-^ic o 00" 



ic 00 -N in; 00 ic 00 => 1^ ic CTi ^ -i ~ U 1"-: m 

"Vl^XCCrrtCTU'^OcOOO'^Cl'rrOC^iO 



Value town lots. 



Value of lands. 



• O li^ iC C^ Oi 

: -r lC X X' -T 

: i^ I- CO C-) i~ 



: o (M to o CO 

• rH X O CO 



CO "f: 00 •-1 



; o o c^ C'j o 



ICOOtOCntDOI^f— IrHOCOCCO^l^itao 

;j; CO o tD X CO X CO lO lO CO 01 00 'T c3 r- -T rg 

C^3^<M_-tr to XO.-H iCCJOOCOrj-iCO-5'Sl 

CO ij CO o'u'^ oitr co'c-rc^rcToi ■» cT~f o co'-^r 



<» 



Value personal property. 



3n?v!22rr''0£02;x9rrrcnc^iiSoc=oo 
-rXicto>— ii^LO,-iC;cox(Mir:ciOr-toi-i 



o^o^c^'^^utc^rjO'-iOcoco'MCiCiira 



Value agricultural im- 
plemeuts and tools 



cooo cc o "v oc o li^Tco co" 



cc »i7 1-1 ri '-c -^ ir- 

ci o ic fM n i^ CO 
'^ c^ C'l cni 30 -r o 

»0 T CC Cl ic't?' ^ 



Acres unimproved land.. 



• O • O to (M o ^- .-( CD (M (■* 00 :c to 
: i-( ,■ »f: cc c^ ci CO -^ f^ oJ i^ ci Qo o 



Acres improved land,,.. 



cv X :- -r X -.': ^ oi I 



• ^ ^ I- o ^ Ic 1- 2 c ^ ^^ *^ 



- Yj ^ C=:' "^ ^ C - T C c^ J •::; c; ■ « S 



300 



HISTORY OK M DONOUGII COUNTY. 



Value. 



^xi o »c oi -r-j CO :c -T i^ o o cc ci - • ~ i^ Ci c^'D 



No. of wagons and car- 
riages 



i(t X <N -r -jc I- CO -v ^ o f Oi to -^ cc a: lf^ cs 

CJ CO Oi 1^ »C — ' O iC 00 n iC "^ Oi I-' 1— ' 30 ^t 1^ 
(NCOr-iC^C4C^COC^COC^(N<MCOC^)CO(MCC!N 



Value. 



OOtCOOCl'-r'T'OlI^iCCDi— 'CJt^C/:)'— 'vO'T'n' 

cit>tDiococotMTt<coaicooo-»T-*rooooTrco 

Cl X QO aa <£) O O iC CO l^ ■^ "-H I C CO l-^ "^ -^ rH 
CJ i-H r-i rl C-J i-< CI i-H -H i-t r-l 



No. of hogs., 



-M O O Ol CJ — CO 1-- I- -^ 'T Oi -^ X CC Cl -- O 

Clal.o-T30•^^coQO■— '-fO-icii— 'Xoi— r^Ci 
T-Haoi-^nrr'^i--i-u7C"-'^cocric:coco<:0'^ 

■VCClN 1-1 cIcC(N00rHriC4 Older coco 



ooot^xtocouoi^r^oii-^O'X'i— loccioo 
Orrocooccoo-roicii^-^—'OOCic^ 

COiOCCr-n-tOi-'CJCO'rJ'OCOaiOO^asCO 



Value. 



■^cooac-^x-^-^icoo^ioc^orNt^ixo 



CC'^ o 1:1; iC to ^ 



No. of sheep.. 



' ?? 1-1 1> l^ I-t 



iCU0irtOOO'^>C»-'tU0^OO«— lOiCCOO 

co»cooo^>c-n-i^t^ocorrir:c^oojoo> 



ir:; C4 00 -r t-* c^ 



DvCiO<NO'-<COCC.-«CCGO 



Value. 



-rcO'Tro-icoooioc^cD-<rc»iO'<rc^fMaioi 



rfCO^iCGOX)(MCC'^aCI--COeO--^'ras00 



No. of mules and asses. 



Value. 



-n«r^OtDQOO<ll>-OCOiX)'MiCiCOasiOQOt^U^ 

i'7I-^rri-iC0C^l-*t-^i-ltO-^OOt*-rf<r-'*<tC<l 

1- r-" "^ -^ tc 00 r^ Gc ic Cl CO aTaT GO -oro-T i> 

•^i-'DCO'-lt-ICOCOCO'^i-ti-KNC-lrHC^TrCO 



No. of cattle.. 



Value. 



O'^?xoiaii>'— <ooor--r-coaiai-t«ocQOO 1 co 

i^ 00 o^ <r) o o oj GO o CO ^ TT i-^ ic CO CO TT 01 I o-l 

CMC0I^Cii--<Q0O(X>C0(MC0O"V'^05ai0J'^ i-( 

04 (N 1-1 I— IrH <N tool T-< i-*^ r-t I-T rH I-T T-lC<r CO Co" 



OOiOOi0 0DOI^00iOOt^C0O00"^r*O 

cncooooiCtcccooicor^oooirriocfi 

CICO-^C-Ji— iCOO-^l-^OOiOiCO-iCOr^t— ooco 

I/: --o Lt X tt o^ OJ CO o r^*-* r^ ic 00 »— • co^co o 

r-<-^0'Jr-tC4CO'^iO-r<NC4:OCOC4C4-n«CCC^ 



No. of horses . 



i-^'ioiretooiOiCTTOiC'^trj'^ecocoiC'^ 

'T'— 'O4O1C'— 'OOOt^OClCiCOCDOCOOSOO 
l-* a* t-- ir3 lO Oi CT> 00 00 I- O ^ OJ l^ GO C- GO CO 



o 



oSCTj" 



. 

0* 'p 









IIIST(^RY OF m'dONOIGH COUNTY. 301 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 



THE BAR OF THE COUNTY. 



In looking over the records of the Circuit Court ot this county, 
we observe the names of many practicing attorney's who have 
since become eminent in their chosen profession or in the afiairs 
of the State. AVe propose, in this chapter, to give a short sketch 
of some of these, giving first, the Judges; second, State's Attor- 
neys, and third, practicing attorneys. 

Jadge.^ of the Circuit Court. — MclJonough county is now in the 
Eleventh Judicial Circuit, but on the organization of the county 
and up to 1873, it was included in the Fifth Judicial Circuit of the 
State. Originally this circuit included all that part ot the State 
known as the "Military Tract,"* and extended across the northern 
part of the State, including the counties of Cook and JoDavies. 

The first judge of this circuit was the Hon. Eichard M. Young, 
who was appointed in the year 1828, and made his residence at 
Galena; afterwards in 1833, he resided in Quiney and remained 
in office till January 1837, when he resigned, having been by the 
legislature elected United States Senator for six years. Judge 
Young was a native of Kentucky, and was one of the first settlers 
of northern Illinois. He ranked high in his profession, and his 
counsels did much to shape the policy of the State. In his man- 
ners gentle, courteous and entertaining, which qualities rendered 
him attractive and popular. He was generous in his feelings and 
liberal in his views, and hence stood high in the esteem of all who 
had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He possessed a liberal en- 
dowment of intellectual ability and literary and legal acquire- 
ments, and these with his other qualifications, admirably fitted 
him for the post he was called to fill. Upon all with whom he 
came in contact he left a lasting and favorable impression. His 
course in the United States Senate brought him to general notice, 



302 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

and lifter the expiration of his term he was appointed commis- 
sioner of the general land office, by President Polk. He also dis- 
charged the duties of other offices, at the city of Washington, 
with honor to himself and advantage to the country. 

The lion. James II. Ralston, a native of Kentucky, was elected 
by the Legislature in 1837 to fill the vacancy occasioned by the 
resignation of Judge Young, and in August of the same year he 
resigned on account of his health, with a view of going to, and 
living in, Texas, whither he went, but soon returned to Quincy, 
his former residence and resumed the practice of his profession. 
In 1840 he was elected State Senator. In 1846 President Polk ap- 
pointed him Assistant Quartermaster of the United States army, 
and he Avas ordered to report for duty to the Commandant of the 
Illinois Volunteers, then en route for Mexico. Having discharged 
the duties of his station faithfully during the war with Mexico, 
he returned home and soon after emigrated to California. 

The Hon. Peter Lott, a native of New York, was elected the 
successor of Judge Ralston, and continued in the office until 
January, 1841. He was subsequently appointed clerk of the cir- 
cuit court of Adams county, in which capacity he served until 
1848, when he was elected to the same office under the provisions 
of the new constitution, and served until 1852; he then went to 
California and was appointed Superintendent of the United 
States Mint, in San Francisco, by President Pierce, and was re- 
moved in 1850 by President Buchanan, and afterwards moved to 
Kansas and lived in humble life. 

Hon. Stephen A. Douglas was elected Judge by the Legislature 
in 1841, and continued in office till August, 1843, when he re- 
signed, having been elected to Congress from the Fifth Congress- 
ional District. The life and career of this great man, is so well 
and widely known as to render any extended notice of him use- 
less. It is sufficient to say that the circumstances under which he 
entered upon the duties of the office were sufficient to thoroughly 
try the force and scope of his abilities. The circuit was large — 
the previous incumbent of the office had left the "docket" loaded 
w^ith unfinished "cases" ; but he was more than equal to the task. 
He "cleaned out the docket" with that dispatch and ability 
which distinguished his subsequent course; and so profound 
was the impression which he made upon the people, that, in the 
first congressional clectional which occured after he was estab- 
lished in his character as a judge, he received the nomination for 



HISTORY OF M'DONOUfiH COUNTY. o03 

member of the lower house of Congress, and was elected thereto. 
Through the distinguished abilities which he displayed as a States- 
man, he received the appellation of the "Little Giant," and be- 
came the recognized leader of a great political party. In 1860 he 
received the nomination for the Presidency, but was beaten by 
Abraham Lincoln, his competitor for the United States Senate 
two years previous. On the inauguration of President Lincoln, 
and the subsequent withdrawal of the Southern States from the 
L^uion, and the war following, Mr. Douglas took strong union 
ground, and declared henceforth there could be but two parties in 
the county, patriots and traitors. In a few days thereafter he was 
taken sick and died on the third of June, 1861, sincerely mourned 
by the whole nation. But two men have ever been more sincere- 
ly mourned than Stephen A. Douglas — George Washington and 
Abraham Lincoln. 

Hon, Jessie B. Thomas succeeded to the office. He was ap- 
pointed in August 1813, and continued in it until 1845, when he 
resigned. Judge Thomas possessed high legal abilities and ac- 
quirements, and discharged the duties of the ofhce with honor to 
himself and to the satisfaction of the people. After his resigna- 
tion he was appointed to another circuit and soon after died. 

Hon. Gorman H. Purple was the next incumbent of the office. 
He was elected in 1845, and served till May 1849, when he re- 
signed. The probable cause of this was the insufficiency of sal- 
ary. The people of this district were anxious to retain him as 
judge and probably would but for the cause stated. He was dis- 
tinguished for high legal abilities and executive talents, and the 
office was rendered the more honorable by his having occupied it. 

Hon. Wm. A. Minshall was the next judge. He was elected in 
May, 1849, and continued in the office until his death, which was 
in October, 1851. Judge M. was a native of Tennessee, and came 
early into the State. He was an active and successful lawyer and 
attained distinction in his profession. Previous to his election as 
judge, he had been a member of the constitutional convention, 
and also a member of the State Legislature. 

Hon. O. C. Skinner succeeded Judge Minshall, and occupied the 
office from May, 1851, to May, 1853, w^hen he was elected to the 
supreme bench and remained there till 1858, when lie resigned. 
He was a sound, able lawyer and popular as a judge, an<l gained 
eminence in his position on the supreme bench. 



304 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Hon. rinkney H. Walker succeeded Judge Skinner. He occu- 
pied the office from May, 1853, to May, 1858. He was then ap- 
pointed by tlie Governor to fill a vacancy in the supreme bench — 
caused by the resignation of Judge Skinner. In 1859 he was 
elected to the supreme bench for nine years, which position he 
now holds. Judge Walker was a native of Iventuck}', and came 
into the State with his father among the first settlers, and located 
in this county. He had only such advantages for obtaining his 
literary acquirements as the county then afforded ; but a strong de- 
termination, added to high intellectual abilities and good health, 
carried him over all the educational wants of the time, and gave 
him a fair position as a scholar. The same qualifications rendered 
him thorough as a student of law, and gave him superiority as a 
counsellor, and marked him as a proper person for the position 
which he now occupies and sustains with distinguished ability. 
His present residence is Rushville, Schuyler county. 

Hon. John S. Bailey was the succeeding incumbent of the office, 
and served for three years. Previous to this appointment, he was 
State's Attorney for the district ; was considered a sound lawyer, 
and made an impartial judge. He now resides in Macomb, and 
yet follows his chosen profession. 

Hon. Chauncey L. Higbee, the present incumbent, was first elec- 
ted in 18<31, and has been re-elected twice, each time for six 
years. His reputation as an able judge is unquestioned, and less ap- 
peals are made from his decisions than from any other in the 
State. 

^S". P. Shopc. — This gentleman was born in Mississippi, but was 
taken by his parents to Ohio while yet an infant. In the spring 
of 1839 he removed to this State; afterwards read law with Judge 
Purple and Judge Powell in Peoria, and on the eleventh of June, 
1856, was admitted to the bar. He first opened an office in Meta- 
mora, Illinois, remaining there but a short time, when he removed 
to Lewistown, in Fulton county, in which place he yet resides. For 
many years he has had an extensive practice, not only in the 
counties of his own judicial district, but in Logan, Mason and Cass 
counties he has had a large amount of business before the courts. 
In August, 1877, he was elected judge of this district without 
opposition. Although he has had but little practical experience 
on the bench, his thorough knowledge of law, quick comprehen- 
sion and well known impartiality, will doubtless make him popular 
with the bar and the people. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUCUI COTNTY. . 805 

Stale's Attorneys. — The gentlemen who have filled the office of 
State's or prosecuting attorney for the district of which McDon- 
ongh county forms a part, deserves more than a passing notice. 
Like the judges they form a galaxy in which the citizens of the 
county may justly take pride. If it were possible we would be 
pleased to give a more extended notice of the life work of each, 
but our space forbids. 

The first incumbent of the office was the Hon. Thomas Ford. 
This gentleman served from the organization of the county until 
January, 1835. Possessed of high and noble qualities of manhood, 
a thorough student, a keen, energetic, untiring lawyer, of strict 
integrity and high and laudable aspirations, he was universally 
esteemed and respected. Afterwards became judge of the north- 
ern district, and when he became known over the State he was 
chosen governor by a spontaneous movement of the people. lie 
held this office during the Mormon war. 

The successor of Mr. Ford was the Hon. William A. Kichard- 
son, who served till 1837. Mr. Richardson's personal merits and 
characteristics are too well known to the people to require any 
delineation. His predominating traits were courage, unyielding 
perseverance and unvarying adherence to the course to which he 
was committed. He had command of a regiment of Illinois 
volunteers, in the Mexican war, and in the battle of Buena Vista 
his cap was carried from his head by a musket ball. At the close 
of the war he returned home, where his services were recognized 
and rewarded by a generous people by an election to Congress. 
He was re-elected live times. His last election was in 1860. He 
Avas also appointed Governor of Xebraska, by President Buchanan. 
This post he resigned after a year's service. 

Hon. Henry L. Bryant succeeded Mr. Ilichardson, his term 
commencing in 1837 and continuing until 1839. He is character- 
ized as a gentleman of fine qualities and an able lawyer. 

Hon. AVilliam Elliot was the next occupant of the office. He 
served from January, 1839, till January, 1848. He was esteemed 
as a worthy man, a warm friend and a good lawyer. He served 
in the Black Hawk war, and was wounded in a hand-to-hand con- 
flict with a single Indian, whom he killed. He was quartermas- 
ter in the fourth regiment of volunteers during the Mexican war, 
and served through. He returned to Lewistown after the war, and 
soon died. 



306 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Hon. Roberts. Blackwell was the successor of Mr. Elliot, and 
served from 1848 till 1852. Mr. Blackwell was one of the most 
distinguished lawyers in the State, and is the author of "Black- 
well on Tax Titles." 

lion. Calvin A. Warren followed Mr. Blackwell in the office, 
Mr. Warren served from May, 1852, until August, 1853. This 
gentleman was a popular, fluent speaker and successful lawyer. 

Hon. John S. Bailey succeeded Mr. Warren. He tilled the 
office with credit to himself and satisfaction of the people of the 
district, until September 1858, when he resigned to take a seat on 
the bench. 

Hon. L. H. Waters was appointed by the Governor to serve out 
the unexpired term of Mr. Bailey. Mr. Waters served until the 
fall of 1860, giving due satisfaction to the people. In the follow- 
ing year Mr. Waters offered his services to the general govern- 
ment, and served a few months as Lieutenant Colonel of the 28th 
Regiment Illinois Volunteers. Resigning, he was commissioned 
to raise another regiment, which he succeeded in doing, and re- 
ceived the appointment of Colonel. The 84th Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers, under his command, did much excellent service. Col. 
Waters made a splendid officer, and was much thought of by his 
men. At the close of the war he returned to his home in Ma- 
comb, where he practiced his profession for about four years, 
when he removed to Missouri. He now resides at Jefferson City, 
the capital of that State. 

Thomas E. Morgan was the next incumbent of this office, and 
was elected in 1860. Mr. Morgan was a lawyer of tine abilities, 
and stood at the head of the bar in this part of the State. He 
died on the twenty-second day of July, 1867. L. II. Waters, a 
notice of whom is given above, was appointed to till the vacancy 
occasioned by his death. 

L.W. James, of Lewistown, was the next incumbent. Mr. James 
is a lawyer of more than ordinary abilities, and was one of the 
best prosecutors in the district. He enjoyed the respect and good 
will of every member of the bar. His term of office expired in 
1862. 

C. F. Wheat, the present County Attorney, was tirst elected in 
1872, and re-elected in 1876. 

Among others of the more prominent members of the early bar, 
the most prominent was Hon. Cyrus Walker. Mr. Walker was 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 307 

born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, May 14th, 1791. Was 
taken when an infant to Ivontncky, where he resided until 1833, 
when he removed to JMacomb, McDonough county, Illinois, where 
he resided until the day of his death, which took place December 
1, 1875. We are indebted to Hon. Hawkins Taylor, of Washing- 
ton City, for the following sketch, first appearing in the Carthage 
Gazette, January 5, 1876 : 

"The father of Cyrus Walker and my mother were brother and 
sister, and we both grew up in the same county (Adair). When 
the families first went from Virginia to Kentucky, settlers for 
twenty miles had to assist each other in house raising and log 
rolling, and for three 3'ears the father of Cyrus acted as a ranger, 
watching the movements of the Indians and warning settlers of 
approaching trouble. His circuit embraced several hundred miles 
of wild, unsettled countr}^, and he was compelled to live almost 
entirely on game, and camp out at night. I have often heard him 
class dried coon as the sweetest meat that he had. Several of the 
uncles of Cyrus Walker were soldiers in the revolutionary war. 
The old stocks were both Irish Presbyterians, all of them learned 
in the scriptures, and of stern, unyielding wills. Cyrus was 
mainly self-taught, there being no schools in that section of the 
country at that day, and from his admission to the bar he took 
high position as a lawyer. At that time, in that part of Ken- 
tuck}', the lawyers traveled the circuit on horseback, and were a 
merry mess. They were getting ready to attend the Burksville 
court when Billy Owens, a man of large ability, kind heart, and a 
good lawyer, but rough and rather dissipated, saw that Walker 
was not with them, when he hunted him up and inquired the 
reas'on. Walker told him that he had no money. Owens at once 
gave him $15, and Walker went along, and was so successful that 
he paid expenses and took home $37, a larger sum than he had 
ever at one time possessed ; and as long as he remained in Ken- 
tucky he was the leading lawyer of that county. Several years 
later, when Walker was at the head of the bar, Owens, partially 
under the influence of liquor, made a bitter attack on Walker, 
during the trial of an important case, to which Walker made no 
reply, although at that day rather disposed to readily resent an 
insult. Some of his friends inquired the reason. Walker told 
them of the kind assistance of Owens when he so much needed 
help, and when it did him so much good; remarking that nothing 
Owens could say that did not aftcct his integrity would be resented 



308 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

by him. The next morning Owens made an apology to the court 
for his unjust remarks to Walker. AValker's motto through life 
was never to forget a friendship nor do injustice to any one. 

"I have often heard Mr.Walker sa}' he regretted the prosecution 
of the unfortunate young man that was tried, convicted and hung 
in your town for a murder committed by him in Frederick, on 
the Illinois river. He always believed he could have saved the 
life of the young man if he had defended him ; and while the 
case was an aggravated one, still Mr. Walker said that nothing 
could ever induce him to prosecute another man for murder, and 
he never did; but he defended and got clear a good many that 
deserved to be hung. 

"When Mr. Walker made a profession of religion, he, for a 
time, contemplated quitting the law and turning his attention to 
the ministr}'. He was educated to believe that slavery was a sin, 
and when he joined the church he freed all his negroes and paid 
their passage to Liberia. Amongst the number was a sprightly 
boy who has since risen to distinction in Liberia. This boy had 
a young and handsome wife, who was the property of the pastor 
of the Tresbyterian church, to which Mr. Walker belonged. 
When Mr. W. set his slaves free he urged his minister to free the 
wife of the boy he had set free, but the minister refused to do so, 
saying he was not able to lose the value of the Avoman, although 
he had himself got her by marriage. Mr. Walker sent oii" his 
freed people, fully believing that the minister would not separate 
the man and wife when the time for separation came, but he still 
refused, and Mr. Walker bought and paid him for her and sent 
her on after her husband to Louisville. 

"Mr. Walker removed to McDonough county, Illinois, in 1833, 
and lived there until his death. He never moved to Iowa, but he 
practiced there for several years. The partiality of Judge Doug- 
las against him, as he believed, was the cause of his going to Iowa, 
and his largo practice retained him there for several years. 

"Mr. AValker, as you truly say, had no taste for office. He 
served two terms in the Kentucky legislature during the great ex- 
citement between the " old court " and " new court," because he 
was the most popular man on the old court side in the county, 
and was forced by his friends in the contest to their ticket, and 
carried the county by a majority of 222, when no other man on 
his side could have carried it. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 309. 

"After the formation of congressional districts in Illinois, based 
on the censns of 1840, the JoDaviess district was largely Whig 
with the Mormon vote, but a debatable district, the Mormon vote 
going to the Democrats. Nearly all the counties in the district 
had AVhiga who wanted to be candidates, but they were willing to 
give way to Mr, Walker, if he would only consent to be a candi- 
date. A\^alker vv^as then in Iowa, attending the courts, the last 
one being in Lee county, lasting several weeks. lie stopped with 
me. His trunk was full of letters from all parts of the district, 
urging him to allow the use of his name for Congress. Amongst 
the letters were, at least two, from Joe Smith, and several from 
George Miller, then Mormon Bishop, but who had formerly lived 
at Macomb, and was, while there, a brother elder in the Presby- 
terian church with Mr. Walker. All these letters urged Mr. 
Walker to be a candidate to save the district for the Whigs. 
Smith, in his letters, pledged the Mormon vote to Walker, if he 
would allow his name to be used, but would not agree to vote for 
any other Whig. Mr. Walker had steadily refused to be a can- 
didate, until he felt that his duty to the noble Whig party re- 
quired him to make the sacrifice ; but when he entered into the 
contest, he was terribly in earnest and went into the fight with a 
will. Alexander Sympson, one of" God's people, and myself 
were to watch the movements at Nauvoo. It was well understood 
by Walker and his friends, that the Democracy would not give 
up the Mormon vote without a great eftbrt. One of the Backin- 
stose's was sheriff, and the other clerk of the Hancock Circuit 
Court, and Douglas was a candidate for Congress in the Adams 
district. I supposed, and I became satisfied, that things were 
not working well in ISTauvoo, and went down to Wareaw to meet 
Mr. AValker, who was there holding a joint discussion with his 
opponent, Hoge. That night Mr. Walker went up to Xauvoo. 
The next morning he called on Joe Smith, and told him that he 
released him from all the pledges made to give him the Mormon 
vote, but in turn asked honest dealing, telling Smith that if it was 
necessary for their (the Mormons) safety from arrest by the State 
authorities that he should vote for Hoge, that he would tell him 
so, and in that event he would at once go to Galena, and spend 
the balance of time before the election in the northern part of the 
district. Joe said, Avith great vehemence: " I promised you the 
support of this church, and you shall have it. Vou stay here and 
H— 20 



310 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

meet Iloge on Thursday." Mr. Walker was worn out in the can- 
vass, and not well, and he stopped with Joe. The joint discussion 
between the candidates took place, and everj^thing indicated that 
"VValkcr would get the united vote of the church. On Saturday 
the voters of the church, in city and county, were called together 
in the grove near the temple, where Ilyrum Smith made a speech 
of about one hour, urging the voters to vote for Iloge. It was a 
regular Democratic speech, and appeared to have no influence, 
lie was followed by Wilson Law in a bold, telling, Whig speech 
in favor of Walker, and from the commencement until the end, he 
was cheered by the entire Mormon audience, At the close of the 
speech. Ilyrum arose black and furious, stretching himself to his 
full height, and extending his arm its full length, said : 'Thus 
saith the Lord, if this people vote against Iloge for Congress on 
Monday, a greater curse would befall them than befell them in 
Missouri. When God speaks,- let men obey,' and immediately 
left the stand ; and the whole audience dispersed in silence. 
When Walker heard of Ilyrum's speech he was indignant, and 
was for leaving Joe's house, but Joe stopped him, professing to be 
furiously mad at Ilyrum, saying that be would himself make a 
speech to the people on Sunday morning, and he again repeated 
the pledge that Mr. Walker should have the Mormon vote. The 
next morning Joe did speak to the people just one hour, and no 
hour's speech ever had closer attention. In that speech Joe passed 
the highest eulogy on Walker that I ever heard from man. 
He denounced politicians — declaring that Walker was not a poli- 
tician, but an honest and a true man, that had been forced to be a 
candidate against his will. He denounced in the most bitter 
terms any member of the church who would consult the Lord 
about who they should vote for, and declared that if any one 
should do it, he should be cut off from salvation, said that he 
would vote for his friend Cyrus Walker, and commanded all to 
vote for the man of their choice without reference to wliat any 
one said ; but in his hour's praise of Walker, and denunciation of 
any one that would consult the Lord about who they should vote 
for, he said : 'Brother Ilyrum is the elder brother ;' 'Brother Hy- 
rum never has deceived his people ;' 'Brother Ilyrum loves this 
people;' 'When the Lord commands, the people must obe}',' etc. 
The next day Joe did vote for Walker, and the balance of the 
Mormons voted for Iloge and elected him as the Lord had com- 
manded. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 311 

"Joe's whole object, from the commencement, was to force Gov- 
ernor Ford to give an unconditional p]o(lf>-e that no more writs 
should be issued against him and other Mormons on requisition 
from the Governor of Missouri on the old Missonri indictments ; 
and he succeeded. At least, such a paper was brought to him, 
Saturday night aboutone in the morning. Ford, I believe, denied 
that he signed such a paper. The parties engaged in securing 
the pledge were not particular how they got it, and may have 
forged it, or Ford may have been in a muddled condition when he 
signed the paper. The election of Hoge and Douglas depended 
on getting the pledge. They made three trips to Springfield be- 
fore they got the pledge that satisfied Joe, and as soon as lie was 
satisfied he at once sent messages to the commanding and faithful 
to support Douglas. They did support and elect him. 

"This is the real history of that campaign, so far as ^Ir. Walker 
was concerned. It was to him a campaign of mortification from 
the start. He was forced into it contrary to his wishes, and forced 
into it largely to get the Mormon votes; but after entering the 
contest he was denounced by Whigs all over the district ior try- 
ing to get the Mormon, and really lost more Whig votes in the 
district than would have elected him, simply because it was sup- 
posed that he could get the Mormon vote. 

"Cyrus was the oldest of a large family, aud contributed largely 
to the education of his brothers and sisters, and to starting them 
in business. Probably no man ever gave a larger share of his 
earnings than did Cyrus Walker to the education of his brothers, 
sisters and relations, to the church to which he belonged, and to 
benevolent purposes; besides the freeing of his slaves, which were 
twice as much in value at the time as all his other projierty 
amounted to.'" 

0. H. Browning, Ex-Sectetary of the Interior, and Ex-United 
Senator. Archibald Williams, the leader of the Kepublican par- 
ty in the old 5th Congressional District, of which McDonough 
county formed a part, J. P. M. Buchanan, an able man, himself 
his worst enemy, W. C. Goudy, S. Corning Judd, W. H. Manier, 
B. T. Schofield, T. Lyle Dick}', present Judge of the Supreme 
Court, and others, have had a good practice in this county. 

The Present Bar. — The present resident representatives of tiie 
bar are no less able than those preceding them at any time in the 
history of the county. Among the number are several who eu- 



312 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

joy a very large and lucrative practice, not only in our own court, 
but in the United States District Court, and in the Supreme Court 
of the State. As we give a list of attorneys in the business di- 
rectory of the various towns, it is unnecessary to repeat in this 
connection. 



HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGH COUNTY. 313 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



RAILROAD BUSINESS 



Elsewhere we give the history of the Chicago, Burlington and 
Quincy Kaih'oad, therefore it is not necessary to give more than a 
passing notice in this place. Without disparagement to the 
others, this can be said to be the chief road passing through the 
county, its volume of business being larger, and its facilities far 
greater than its competitors. McDonough county subscribed 
$75,000 to aid in its construction, and no better investment has 
she ever made. There has been returned by the road in the shape 
of taxes, far more than the principal and interest of the subscrip- 
tion. By its aid the resources of the county have been developed 
to an extent that one can scarcely realize. Towns have sprung 
up along its line as if by magic, farms have been opened and 
factories have been set in operation, employing hundreds of 
hands, and the wealth of the east has been poured into our laps. 
George "VV. Smith, the lamented editor of the Independent, proph- 
esied in 1853 that we would almost double our population in 
ten years. In less than that length of time the population had 
not onl}^ doubled, but more than trebled. To-day w'e have six 
times the population we had then, and are constantly increasing. 

Opponents of the railroad told the people we had no use for it, 
as one train of cars would carry away all the surplus produce 
raised in the county in one year. Through the kindness of W. 
McCredie, Freight Auditor of the Chicago, Burlington and 
Quincy Railroad, we present a table showing the shipments 
and receipts of this road for the period of time mentioned. 
Had it not been for the great Chicago lire in 1871, which destroyed 
the records previously made we should have given for the whole 
period ot time in which the road has been operated ; but enough 
is given to show the extent of the business. Reducing the num- 



;i4 



HISTORY OF M DONOUGH COUNTY. 



ber of pounds to cars wo find there has been shipped of flour, 
153; wheat, 560; corn, 2,465; oats, 561; barley, 29 ; rye, 451 ; 
other freight, 0,058; coal, 18,926; cattle, 1,581; hogs, 3,343. AVe 
also find received in the same time in cars, lumber, 3,606 ; agri- 
cultural implements, 300; merchandise, 3,349; other freight, 4,352. 

Statement of Shipments oocr the Chicago, Burlington and Qtiiney 
Railroad from May i, 1871, until December 31, 1876.^^ 



station. 


Wheat, Corn, 
lbs. lbs. 


Oats, 

lt.s. 


Other 
grain, lbs. 


Cattle 
No. 


Hogs, 
No. 


Flour 
brls. 


All other Tonnage in 
freight. lbs. 


Prairie City.... 

Bushnell 

Bardolph 

Macomb 


818,900 
2,581,3i;0 
1,095,010 
5,092,044 
38,400 
1,087,575 

499,000 


10,110,210 
7,7(18,440 

11,440,170 
8,886,701 
1,381,210 


2,695,370 
1.6.56,390 
1,770,984 
4,398,110 
.594.3,50 


3,283,655 
1,799,767 
962,000 
2,546,970 
308,070 
395,730 
324,255 


3,227 
2,334 
4,477 
8,990 
154 
4,330 
1,782 


35,211 
18,. 509 
19,, 343 
55,348 
3,126 
27,764 
14,539 


718 
2,300 
2,429 

9,787 


4,325,630 
18,820,895 
5,903,756 
16,073,810 
7,728,761 
4,0.58,812 
3,663,120 


42,736,995 
40,685,502 
31,442,490 
62,778,905 
385,315,541 




591,300! 529,325 
177,720 300,680 




22,129,242 


Colmar 




10,559,725 










11,212,319,49,295,751 


11,945,209 


9,034,297 


25,294 


173,840 


15,234 60,574,784 

1 


595,648,400 



During the same period there was shipped coal from Bushnell. 441,000 pounds; from Tennessee, 
3,762,500 pounds; from Colchester, 374,313,850 pounds: which does not include what was carried 
for use of company, which, with the amount taken by engines, was 120,000 pounds per day. 

Receipts' Daring the Same Period. 



station. 



Prairie City 

Bushnell 

Bardolph 

Macomb 

Colchester .. 
Tennessee .. 
Colmar 



Lumber, 
lbs. 



7.750,0.38 

14,115,5.35 

3,<S09,520 

22,801,416 

1,946,430 

933, 4.50 

759,400 



52,115,789 



Agricul- 
tural im- 
plements, 

lbs. 



128,195 

1,352,075 

13,650 

635,465 

15,940 

11,921 

5,900 



2,163,146 



Merchan- 
dise, lbs. 



5,007,658 
6,812,895 
1,225,320 
15,316,704 
3,763,777 
1,078,061 
28'J,169 



33,486,584 



All other 
freight, lbs. 



3,123,606 
10,839,387 
10,803,078 
14,490,548 
2,471,687 
1,479,705 
309,620 



43,517,631 



Tonnage 
in Itis. 



16,009,497 

33,119,892 

15,851,568 

53,244,1:33 

8,197,834 

3,503,137 

1,3.57,089 



131,283,150 



■•■'Records previous to May 1, 1871, were burned in the great fire of October 9, same year. 

A total of 44,740, or an average of 31 cars per day received in 
and shipped from the county over this road. Mr. McCredie in- 
forms the writer that there has been a slight falling off", in conse- 
quence of the opening of the two competing roads, the T., P. & 
"W., and the K., E,. I. & St. L. railroads. 

Through the kindness of A. L. Hopkins, General Superintendent 
of the T., r. & W,, we give table of shipments over^that road. 
"\Ve could not obtain either receipts or shipments over St. Louis 
Division of the C, B. & Q., but estimating as equal to the T., P. & 
W., we can see it will require seventy cars per day to import our 
merchandise and transport our products. A good showing. 



HISTORY OF M DONOUGH COUNTY. 



;io 



Table of Shipments over J'., P. and W. E. B, for Six Years 
Ending December 31, 1876. 



station. 



Wheat, 
lbs. 



Bushnell 

Scottsburg 

Good Hope.... 

Sciota 

Blandinsville 



7,115,865 
318,210 
2,565,165 
1,941,830 
3,798,460 



Corn , 
lbs. 



•23,287,520 
4,678,900 
31,874,276 
49,819,670 
16.742,6d0 



Oats, 
lbs. 



Other 
grain, 

lbs. 



6,705,154 4,798,976 
883,530 392,200 
4,933,985 3,784,945 
5,903,020 4,663,700 
4,366,960 3,202,350 



Cattle 
Cars. 



234 
40 
424 
242 
479 



Merchan- 
Hogs, disc and 
Cars. Sundries 
lbs. 



397 

66 

452 

394 

1,302 



15,994,066 

21,590 

1,539,325 

760,990 

3,798,460 



All other 

freight. 

lbs. 



48,225,030 

3,140,000 

885,498 

777,250 

2,458,000 



Tonnage 
in lbs. 



120,0.33,057 
11,554,430 
49,417,351 
76,. 586, 490 
70,000,750 



316 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXX. 



BIOGRAPHICAL, 



Although McDonough county may not have furnished as many 
men eminent in the counsels of the nation as some other locali- 
ties, yet there are a few names not entirely unknown to fame, 
some of whom have attained eminence at the bar, some in the 
sacred desk, proclaiming the unsearchable riches of Christ, some 
upon the battle field, yielding up their life's blood in defense of 
their country ; while still others, as merchants, doctors, lawyers 
and tillers ot the soil, have toiled on, content to remain in obscur- 
ity, having the love and confidence of their family and those by 
whom they are or were immediately surrounded. In this connec- 
tion we give sketches of such of our fellow men as were easily ob- 
tainable, and who, as a whole, will represent faithfully the spirit 
and progress of our county. 

LARKIN C. BACON. 

This gentleman is a son of Joseph B. and Agnes (Couch) 
Bacon, both of whom were native Tennesseeans. Larkin himself 
was born ia "Washington county, that State, on the second day of 
May, 1818. 

The circumstances of the senior Bacon, at the time of Larkin's 
birth, were good, but through unfortunate speculation in the 
grain and stock trade, he met with severe reverses and was con- 
siderably injured in property. Soon thereafter he moved from 
his native State to Missouri, and, after a four years' residence in 
that State, came to McDonough county, Illinois, where he arrived 
in March, 1834, settling upon section 20, Tennessee township, 
and where he continued to reside until death called him away. 

The subject of this sketch passed his early life upon a farm, 
having to labor from, the time he became ph^'sically able. His 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 317 

education ccnsists in that derived from the common schools of 
the community in which he lived, and instructions received at the 
hands of Isaac llolton, who, for a number of years, conducted a 
high school at Hillsgrove, in this county. 

Larkin's general character in youth was excellent. He then 
possessed moral qualities which have adhered to him ever since, 
through all the vicissitudes of life. It is said of him that he never 
nttered an oath — never took the name of his God in vain. 

He has always been a farmer, but in addition to the ordinary 
duties of farm work, has for twenty-five years past been dealing 
in stock. All the grain that he raises upon his farm is consumed 
in feediufi: hosrs and cattle for the market. He chose agricultural 
pursuits because he had been reared to them, and never had any 
disposition to engage in any other business. 

In the cause of education Air. Bacon has always taken great 
interest, and has done much to advance its interests in the com- 
munity in which he resides. For about twenty-five years he has 
held the office of School Trustee. 

He has never changed his place of residence but three times, 
removing, as previously stated, from Tennessee to Missouri, and 
from Missouri to Illinois, settling with his parents on section 22, 
on which a portion of the town of Tennessee now lies, and from 
thence to his present place of abode on section 20, which latter 
change occurred in December, 1842. 

On the twenty-sixth day of December, IS-tl, Mr. Bacon was 
united in marriage to Miss Honore Durbin, who, after a compan- 
ionship of twenty-three years, departed this life. She was a con- 
sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for a number 
of years, and died possessing a hope of a future reward. On the 
twentieth day of October, 1864, Mr. Bacon was again married, 
the lady being Mrs. Louisa (Latimer) Meek, of Abingdon, Knox 
county. 1^0 family in the community is more universally esteemed 
than that of Mr. Bacon. 

When Mr. Bacon began life for himself he had but little of this 
world's goods, receiving from the estate of his father, we believe, 
about forty acres of land; but he had the courage and the will 
necessary to success, which, combined with extreme caution, has 
placed him in the front rank of the farmers of McDonough county. 
He has been successful in business affairs, as is evinced by the well 
stocked farm on which he resides, one of the best im})rovcd and 



318 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

carefully managed in the countv. He makes few, if any, mistakes, 
in his business ventures, and usually judges correctly upon every 
matter requiring an outlay, and if he ever errs, it is on the safe 
side. In his neighborhood he is reg;arded as a most excellent 
tiuancier. 

Mr. Bacon has been a professor of the Christian religion from a 
youth up, having united with the Baptist Church when about 
nineteen years of age, with which body he retained connection 
until the congregation where he held membership was broken np 
in consequence of the removal of its members from the vicinity, 
when he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1845 or 
1846, since which time he has held in that body the offices of trus- 
tee, class leader, and superintendent of the Sunday School, in 
which latter capacity he has been very active. 

It has always been characteristic of Mr. Bacon to seek retire- 
ment rather than publicity, and for that reason he has never occu- 
pied the public positions in life he is so well calculated to fill. 

Since writing the foregoing Mr. Bacon has passed from earth, 
departing this life on the twenty-fourth of October, 1877, leaving 
a large family and many relatives and friends to sincerely mourn 
his loss. But he was prepared to go ; death to him had no fears, 
and now within the limits of the unseen world he awaits the com- 
ing of other loved ones. 

MAJOR THOMAS A. BROOKING. 

The genealogy of the Brooking family can be traced back 
through several generations, those bearing the name filling hon- 
orable and responsible positions in society for several years. The 
grandfather of the subject of this sketch on both his father's and 
mother's side was Colonel in the revolutionar}' Avar, while his 
father, as well as liimself, bore an honorable part in the war of 
1812. 

Thomas A.lexander Brooking was the second son of a family of 
eleven, eight daughters and three sons, and was born in Kich- 
mond, ISTottaway county, Virginia, on the twentieth day of Jan- 
uary, 1795. His parents were Thomas Vivian and Elizabeth 
(Sherwin) Brooking, the latter being the daughter of Colonel 
Samuel Sherwin, of revolutionary fame. But little is known of 
Ill's early history, save that every opportunity was given him to 
obtain such education as would fit him for a useful station in life. 
He attended a good classical sfhool in Chesterfield county, Vir- 



HISTORY OF m'doxougii county. • 319 

gihia, under charge of Prof. Ferguson, a noted teacher in his day, 
and afterward under Prof. Smitli. He then went to Manchester, 
A^irginia, and entered a school under charge of l*rof. O'Reily, one 
ofthehest classical scholars in tlie State. When he completed 
the prescribed course in this school, he returned to Richmond, 
Virginia, and entered the law office of Hon. Alexander McRae, 
one of the most talented lawyers in the city, where he pursued his 
studies for a sufficient length of time to enable him to pass a satis- 
factory examination and obtain admittance to the bar. On receiv- 
ing his diploma, he removed to the State of Kentucky for the 
purpose of engaging in practice, but for some cause he abandoned 
the idea of making the legal profession a life business, but the 
knowledge obtained through his reading was beneficial during 
life. On the breaking out of the war of 1812 the elder Brooking 
enlisted as a private, and when cut some months he was recalled 
home to attend the bedside of a dying sister, the government ac- 
cepting the services of the son (of whom we write) as a substitute. 
Though quite young, he performed his duty faithfully in the ser- 
vice of his country. 

A few months before reaching his majority, as previously stated, 
he removed to Kentucky, and settled in the town of Versailles, 
where he engaged in the mercantile trade. Here he formed the 
acquaintance of Miss Mary Louisa Threshly, which soon termi- 
nated in love, and the ofiter of his hand and heart in marriage ; ac- 
cordingly, on the twenty-fifth day of January, 1816, the young 
couple were duly married. The tie thus formed remained un- 
broken until severed by the death of Mr. Brooking in 1858. Thir- 
teen children were they blessed with, six of whom have passed on 
to that other shore, seven yet living to fill responsible stations in 
life. One of the number, Edward Brooking, lost his life in the 
service of his countr}', as a member of the 137th Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers. Of the number now living, William is a large farmer, 
living north of Macomb ; A. V. is a farmer and stock dealer; R. 
S. is a trader ; Mrs. Jane Randolph, widow of the late William II. 
Randolph, lives in Macomb; Mrs. Augusta Palmer lives in Pales- 
tine, Texas ; Mrs, Lucy Snyder lives in CarroUton, Mo. ; Mrs. 
Julia Randolph, wife of J. II. Randolph, of Fort Scott, Kansas. 

Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Brooking returned to Rich- 
mond, Va., w^here he remained three years, after which he located 
in Union county, K}'., where he leased the celebrated Sulphur 
Springs, continuing in its charge five years, when he removed to 



320 HISTORY OF m'dO.N'OUGH COUNTY. 

Princeton, Caldwell county, remaining there until the fall of 1834, 
when he made his final removal to MeDonough count\', settling 
in the town of Macomb. Bv a series of unfortunate ventures in 
Kentucky he lost his entire fortune, and came to this county a 
poor man but with a determined will and the intention of retriev- 
ing all. On his arrival here he engaged as a teacher of a select 
school, continuing the same until the follow^ing spring. For two 
seasons following he engaged in the manufacture of brick north 
of town, on the site of Oakwood Cemetery, after which he re- 
moved to the old farm now^ ownied by his son, William T. Brook- 
ing, where he remained until the spring of 1850, wdien he pur- 
chased the old hotel on the w^est side of the square, which he 
carried on for some years. 

In 1885 Major Brooking made a profession of religion and 
united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in Macomb, with 
which body he retained connection until death, and Avas very ac- 
tive in the cause; indeed, this w^as his luiture; whatever he under- 
took to do enlisted all his sympathies and all his energies. In his 
death the (ihurch in Macomb lost one of its''most'usetul members. 

In politics. Major Brooking was an old-line Whig as long as 
the party had an existence. Henry Clay, that honored son of 
Kentucky, had in him a warm supporter and friend, and every 
principle of that old party had a response in his breast. "With its 
death he became identified with the Republican party; although 
his life w^as not long spared after its oganization, he yet had the 
supreme satisfaction of voting for its first candidate for President. 
Although born in Virginia, and in that State and Kentucky 
spending the greater part of his life, he yet w-as an anti-slavery 
man, and was never afraid to express his sentiments. Save that 
of Justice of the Peace, he never held public office, preferring 
the retirement of private life, though often solicited by friends to 
become a candidate. Contrary to his expressed will he was placed 
in nomination by the Whigs in 1849 for County Judge, but it 
being the "ofi" year" of the Whig party he was defeated. Had 
he been elected, he, no doubt, w^ould have discharged the duties 
of the office to the satisfaction of his constituents. 

Major Thomas A. Brooking w^as a large portly man, kind 
hearted and benevolent in the extreme. lie w^as a man wdio en- 
joyed life, and whatever may have been the turn in fortune's wheel 
it made no perceptible change in his deportment. His doors 
were always open to the poor and needy, and the hospitalities of 



HISTORY OF m'donough county. 321 

his house were ever extended to his friends, and his kind invita- 
tions were often accepted. It was his pride to exercise true Vir- 
ginia hospitality. During his life in McDonough county he made 
many warm friends who will ever bear him in grateful remem- 
brance. On the twenty-fifth of February, 1858, he was called to 
his long home. But lie was prepared to go and could unfalter- 
ingly say when the dread summons came, "Thy Avill be done, O, 
Lord." He was buried on the old homestead, the services being 
conducted by the Masonic Order of Macomb, of which body 
he had for many years been a consistent member. His loved 
companion tarried upon this side of the river for nineteen years 
when she too, passed away, leaving a large circle of friends and 
relatives to mourn her loss. 

A. V. BROOKING. 

The fatlier of the subject of our present sketch was Thomas 
A. Brooking, one of the pioneer settlers of old McDonough, who 
came to the county in the fall of 1835, and here lived, honored 
and respected by all, until the day of his death, which occurred 
in 1858. His mother's maiden name was Mary L. Threshiy ; she 
but recently departed this life at a ripe old age. 

Alexander Vivian Brooking was born at Sulphur Springs, Ivy., 
on the 26th day of February, 1829, and witli his parents came to 
this county in 1835, being at that time but six years of age. He, 
therefore, may well be classed as one of McDonough county's 
sons. A short time before they left Kentucky his father met 
with misfortune, losing his entire property ; and, like many others 
determining to build up again, sought new fields of labor, and se- 
lected McDonough county as the basis of his operations, and re- 
moved here as above stated, arriving with only one span of horses 
and twenty-six dollars in money. The early life of "Viv.," as he 
is familiarly called by those who are intimate with him, was pass- 
ed upon a farm, and in attendance on the common schools of the 
county. The fi'-st school which he attended was taught by T, Lyle 
Dickey, then a young law student, and now one of the Supreme 
Judges of the State. On the farm, four miles north of Macomb, 
he spent twenty-nine years of his life, or until he was thirty-three 
years of age, when he removed to Macomb, embarking in the 
livery business. Here he has since remained, engaged in the 
above business, and also for many years having charge of the well 
known Randolpli Hotel. During this time he has never aban- 



322 HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGII COUNTY. 

doned the farm, but has continued in charge of it, overseeing the 
raising ot the crops year by year, and improving it greatl}'. In 
one thing he has always been especiall}^ noted, and that is in his 
love of line stock, and in this branch of business he has devoted 
much time and the expenditure of thousands of dollars. Several 
of the most noted horses ever in the county were his property. 
The great improvement manifest to all in this respect is due in a 
fjreat measure to him. He was the orio'lnator of the Stock Asso- 
ciation of the county, being the first to suggest the idea, and worked 
hard to bring it to a high standard, succeeding beyond his ex- 
pectations. 

On the twenty-seventh day of August, 1851, he was united in 
the bonds of matrimony to Miss Elizabeth H. Randolph, daughter 
of Benjamin F. Randolph, by whom he had five children, two of 
whom are now living. Mrs. Brooking died on the tweutj^-ninth 
day of August, 1862. He again married on the twenty-first day 
of April, 1864, this time to Miss Elizabeth Butler, of Knox 
county, Illinois, the fruits of the marriage being live children, one 
of whom is dead. 

In the home circle Mr. Brooking is kind and affectionate, en- 
joying the confidence and love of his entire family ; in public he 
enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him ; in business 
affairs he calculates closely ; never hastily jumps at a conclusion, 
generally weighing tlie matter carefully in his own mind, and 
when a conclusion is arrived at, lie can be depended upon. 
Strange as it may seem to a man in his walk of life, surrounded 
by those who view the matter in a different light, he has never 
taken a dram of liquor in his life, and never voted for license. He 
makes no boast of his temperance principles, however; does not 
condemn unmercifully those who difier with him, but always con- 
sistently practices his belief. It is related of him that on one 
occasion, when the State fair was held in Chicago, he was on a 
committee of which Long John AYentworth, General Singleton 
and others were members, and having a meeting in one of the 
rooms of a hotel, liquor was brought in, and he was pressed 
to partake. Declining respectfully, he told them he never had 
partaken of li([Uors of any kind, and desired never to do so. 
Long John, then so full he could hardly stand, staggered across 
the room, and slapping him on the shoulder, said : "That's right, 
my boy ; never do." And he never has. Xeither has he ever 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COl'NTV. 323 

used tobacco in any form. A lesson is here ottered to young men 
to follow his example. 

EDCAR BOLLES, M. D. 

William K, Bollcs, the father of the subject of our present 
sketch, is a " true-blue Yankee," having iirst seen the light of 
this world in Xew London, Connecticut, in the year 1807. His 
mother, Sarah (West) Bolles, is a native of Xew York, her birth- 
place being in Hillsdale, Columl)ia county. She was also born in 
1807, there being only two or three months difference between 
her age and that of her husband. Their son Edgar, of 
whom Ave now write, was born on the twelith day of January, 
1837, in Sandusky county, Ohio, whither his parents had immi- 
grated some years previous. W^hen he was but six weeks old, 
desiring to better their condition in life, his parents emigrated to 
Lagi-ange county, Indiana, traveling the entire distance in an old- 
fashioned lumber wagon drawn by oxen. Here they remained 
for fifteen years, or until 1852, suffering greatly from the chills 
and fever of that malarious district. They now determined on 
returning to Mrs. Bolles' native county, which they did, remaining 
there one year. The mountains and rocks were too much for 
them, however, and they again decided to try the West, choosing 
this time the fertile prairies of Illinois. They came direct to 
this county, and settled in Blandinsville township in 1853, after- 
ward removing to Emmet, where the old folks yet remain. 

The farm has been the great nursery of nearly all the best men 
of the country, and here Edgar passed his boyhood and youth, 
acquiring strength of mind and body, which tit him for the dis- 
charge of the duties of his chosen profession. In spring, summer 
and fall, from the time he was old enough to be of assistance, he 
was compelled to labor, and in the winter was allowed to attend 
the common country school. Thus his life was passed until he 
reached the age of twenty-one. During all this time there was 
a growing desire in his heart to occupy a higher position in life, 
to receive an education that would tit him for future usefulness. 
As soon as he reached his majority he at once made preparations 
to attend the Seminary in Blandinsville, an institution at that 
time of some importance. Here he pursued his studies for two 
years, acquiring a pretty thorough Englisii education, enabling 
him to pursue the profession of a teacher, which he had chosen 
as a stepping stone to that wliich should follow altei'. For seven 



324 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

years thereafter he engaged in this work, teaching in the winter, 
when a school coald be obtained, and clerking in the summer. 
In this way he obtained means for the principal object he had in 
view from the first — the study of medicine, which profession he 
desired to adopt as a life work. 

In August, 1853, he first began to read medicine with Drs. 
Huston & Hammond, in Macomb. As may well be understood 
from what is previously written, he could not pursue his studies 
uninterruptedly for the want of means. In the fall of 1868, he 
was considered far enough advanced to attend lectures, and hav- 
ing saved enough from his labors to pay his tuition for the 
term, w^e therefore find him in attendance in Long Island Hos- 
pital College, Brooklyn, New York. Here he remained dur- 
ing the term, returning home in the spring, and engaging in 
teaching the next fall. He now determined to enter the Detroit 
Medical College, Detroit, Michigan, as a more thorough and suit- 
able institution, which he did, and passing through the prescribed 
course, received, in the spring of 1870, the degree of "Doctor of 
Medicine and tSurgery." On graduating, he returned home, 
taught school another term, and returned to Detroit in the fall, 
and assisted Professors Weber and Jenks during the college term 
of 1870-71, in the chairs of anatomy and diseases of women and 
children. At the close of the term he concluded to remain a short 
time in Detroit, and entered the office of Dr. Jenks as assistant, re- 
maining with him some months. Becoming somewhat dissatisfied 
with the practice in that city, he returned to Illinois in the fall of 
1860, and located at Pennington's Point, in this county, where he 
yet remains. During the first year or two of his stay at the Point 
he engaged in teaching as well as in the practice of his profession. 
hi thus doing, he made enough money on which to live while 
building up a self-sustaining practice. Something over six years 
have now elapsed since he entered upon the duties of his profes- 
sion, and he now enjoys a practice second to but one or two, and 
probably second to none in the county. Xight and day are his 
services in demand, and his success as a physician has been remark- 
ably good. 

On the fifteenth day of May, 187*2, Dr. Bolles led to the mar- 
riage altar Miss Fannie Penrose, of Macomb, with whom he lives 
in a pleasant home at the Point. Two children have been born 
unto them, one of whom soon passed over to the other side of the 
river of death. 



HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGH COUNTY 325 

In the career of Dr. Bolles there is an excellent lesson for 
j-oung men. Inheriting not a dollar, and at the age of tAVenty- 
one without a penny to begin life, he worked his way for two 
years through a good high school, obtaining an education to fit 
himself for a teacher, which profession he adopted as a temporary 
expedient to enable him to obtain means to pursue a course of 
study for the medical profession. Entering a medical college, he 
soon graduated with high honors, and is now recognized as one of 
the leading physicians in the county. To enable him to accom- 
plish all this he spent about two thousand dollars, every dollar of 
which he secured by hard labor. And yet there are hundreds 
and thousands of young men who utterly bewail their fate, and 
say they can't advance. 

Dr. Bolles is a tall, athletic looking man, full six feet, black 
hair and eyes, solidly built, usually in the enjoyment of perfect 
health. His powers of endurance are very great, especially fit- 
ting him for the life of a physician. As a man, the doctor enjoys 
the respect of all who are acquainted with him; his social quali- 
ties commend him to all alike. In the home circle he is kind and 
gentle in the extreme. AVe believe a bright future is yet before 
him. 

ALOXZO BARNES. 

Alonzo Barnes, son of Truman and Laura (]S'eale) Barnes, was 
born in Xew Hartford, Conn., on the tenth day of May, 1825. 
When but a mere child his parents removed to Xew Haven, in 
the same State, Avhere they remained until the year 1838, when 
they came AV^est, their son accompanying them, and settled in 
Canton, Illinois. From the time he attained the right age, until 
the removal of his parents from New Haven, he attended. the Lan- 
casterian sschool in that city, obtaining a fair common school edu- 
cation, since which time he had the advantage of but one winter's 
term of school. The desire for a thorough education was very 
great with him, but his parents were unable to gratify his long- 
ing. This, however, did not deter him from the effort to acquire 
knowledge, and we lind him at home, after the labors of the day 
were ended, studying to advance himself in the knowledge of the 
science and literature of the day. On his removal to Canton, as 
every youth in the land should do, he learned a trade, choosing 
that of cooper, becoming quite proficient in the business. 

H— 21 



326 HISTORY OF m'donough county. 

"Wlieu seventeen years of age, by permission of his parents, he 
left home to care for himself, with a determination to succeed in life 
if it were possible. He commenced work in the timber, cutting 
and splitting rails at fifty cents per hundred, and cutting saw logs 
at twelve and a half cents per log, securing in this way the small 
amount of cash which served as a basis for all his future opera- 
tions. One thing may here be remarked of him, and that is, he 
has always obeyed the scriptural injunction, "Whatsoever thy 
hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might." In thus doing suc- 
cess hath crowned his efforts. 

In boyhood and youth he enjoyed the confidence and respect of 
his elders, keeping aloof from the degrading and demoralizing 
habits in which the young are liable to be led. It is said of him, 
no oath ever passed his lip?, and that he was never known to 
speak a wilful falsehood. At fifteen years of age he united with 
the Baptist Church, in Canton, and was baptised by Elder Newell 
in that city. During all the intervening years he has ever been a 
consistent member of that denomination of Evangelical Chris- 
tians, ever taking an active part in the practical duties devolving 
upon the members of the body of Christ. He was one of the first 
deacons of the Baptist Church in Prairie City, and has held the 
office up to the present time. 

In June, 1849, he was united in marriage to Miss Maria L. 
Parker, of Canton, 111., by whom he has had eight children, five 
of whom are now living, three having passed " over the river," 
and, upon the other side, are " watching and waiting" for those 
who yet remain. 

In 1852, with his father-in-law, he engaged in the mercantile 
trade in Canton, under the firm name of Parker & Barnes, which 
relation was continued until his removal to Prairie City, in 1864. 
When he removed to the latter place none of the signs of thrift 
were there which are now discernable. The prairie in all direc- 
tions was in its wild state, but few farms having been brought un- 
der cultivation. How different now. Not an acre, not a rod, but 
what is enclosed. Mr. Barnes, on his removal here, engaged 
again in the mercantile trade, he having the honor of bringing to 
the town the first general stock of goods. We believe he has, 
without intermission, continued in a like business up to the pres- 
ent time. He also entered at once upon the work of building up 
and adding to the industries and business interests of the place. 
With Major Parker, he laid out the first southern addition to the 



HISTORY OF M'dONOUGH COUNTY. 327 

town of Prairie City, and alone has expended more money in 
buildings than any other person in the town. His own private 
residence and its surroundings is one of the finest in the town- 
ship, and probably not surpassed by any in the county. He was 
the first postmaster in the town, and held the ofhce for ten years, 
attending faithfully to its duties when it was more annoyance than 
profit. In 1855 he was elected justice of the peace, and also re- 
ceived the appointment of Notary Public, one or both of which 
he has held continuously ever since. He has also held the office 
of township treasurer for about ten years. As before remarked, 
Mr. Barnes is a man of great determination, and who will allow 
no obstacle to stand in the way of success. He is a genuine Yan- 
kee, showing the habits of thrift belonging to that class. Starting 
in life at the age of seventeen, without a dollar, his only capital 
being two strong arras, he has succeeded beyond that of hundreds 
possessed of far greater advantages. Young men should profit by 
his example as a citizen. None stand higher in the community 
than Alonzo Barnes, and none more than he deserves the good 
will of all. As a husband and father, he is kind, pleasant and for- 
bearing, providing for the necessary wants of all with a liberal 
hand. 

JAMES M. CAMPBELL. 

The subject of the present sketch is of Scottish descent, his 
grand parents on both sides having been born in Argyleshire, 
Scotland, from which place they emigrated in 1773, before the be- 
ginning of the revolutionary war, and settled in the State of Vir- 
ginia, where his father, JohnR. Campbell, was born. His mother's 
maiden name was Margaret F. Self, and she was likewise a Vir- 
ginian by birth. About the beginning of the present century his 
parents removed to Frankfort, Ky,, where, on the twenty-second 
day of August, 1803, James Morrison Campbell was born. "When 
about four years of age his parents removed to Muhlenberg county, 
Ky., where they remained for two years, going from thence to 
Shawneetown, 111., in 1809. In the campaign against the Indiaus, 
in the war brought on through British instigation, our country at 
that time being engaged in the war of 1812, the father of Mr. 
Campbell went out as Lieutenant of Hangers, serving several 
3'ears. In 1815, when peace was declared, Lieutenant Campbell 
failed to return home, when Mrs. Campbell, supposing him dead, 
returned at once to their old home in Frankfort. Here they had 



328 HISTORY OF im'donougii countv. 

remained but a short time before the husband and father returned. 
At this time James M. was a lad of twelve years of age. Up to 
this time the opportunity had not been given him to attend school 
but a few months, and having a desire to obtain a greater knowl- 
edge of his mother tongue, he was sent to the Frankfort Seminary, 
then under the superintendency of Keene O'Hara, an eminent 
scholar and strict disciplinarian, whose reputation as an instructor 
of youth had extended throughout the State. Here he remained 
about four years, obtaining such education as was thought at that 
time to be necessary to enable one to make his way in the world. 

In 1822, he received the appointment of Deputy Postmas- 
ter, under James W. Hawkins, Postmaster of the city of Frank- 
fort, and as noble a man as ever lived. With Mr. H. he re- 
mained five years and a half, when, thinking he could better his 
fortune, he resigned his position to go to Lexington, in the same 
State. A few days after he arrived at the latter place, he received 
a mail bag, which, on opening he discovered an entire suit of 
broad-cloth clothes, and a note informing him that they were a 
present from his friend Mr. Hawkins. Not succeeding in Lexing- 
ton as he desired, he returned to Frankfort where he remained an- 
other year, when in the spring of 1828 he went with his father to 
Shelby county, Ky,, where he remained until the following win- 
ter, when he started for Galena, in this State, but went to IS'ash- 
ville, Tenn., where he spent the winter and spring following and 
in August, 1829, he arrived at the place of his destination. 
Here he entered the office of his uncle, Wm. Campbell, who at 
that time was general agCLt of the government as receiver of 
rents forthe use of the lead mines at that place. AVith his uncle he 
only remained a few months when he entered the office of Cir- 
cuit and County Clerk, under Col. Abner Field. Here he re- 
mained until the spring of 1831, when he received the appoint- 
ment of Clerk of the Circuit Court of McDonough county, for 
which place he started, arriving at Macomb the county seat of 
the newly organized county, on the first day of April, 1831, and 
where he has ever since resided, enjoying the respect and esteem 
of the people of the whole county. 

Wlien Mr. Campbell arrived at Macomb, there was but one 
Ijuilding in the town, that of John Baker, of which mention is made 
elsewhere. He at once erected a log house a short distance south 
of P>akers, and opened a stock of general merchandise, the first 
ever opened in the county. 



HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGH COUNTY. 329 

Strange as it may seem to us who now know the man, he was 
taken for a Yankee by the few people living in the vicinity, and 
who were principally, if not wholly from the State of Kentucky, 
and who hated a Yankee worse than a rattlesnake. At this time 
the office of clerk of the County Commissioner's Court was va- 
cant and it was found impossible to lind a man who would dis- 
charge the duties and was capable of tilling the office. The name 
of Mr. Campbell was suggested, when one of the commissioners 
swore no Yankee should ever hold the office with his consent. 
Assurance was given by Mr. Campbell that he did not belong" to 
this much detested race, when he received the appointment and 
held the office for fifteen years. 

In addition to the office of clerk of the Circuit and County 
Court, Mr. Campbell received the appointment from Governor 
Reynolds of County Recorder, ISTotary Public, and Judge of Pro- 
bate, the latter two of which he resigned after a short time. 

Heretofore McDonough county had been without a postoffice, 
the people of the entire county receiving their mail at Rushville, 
Schuyler county. Arrangements were at once made by Mr. C. to 
have the mail belonging to citizens of the county brought from 
Rushville to Macomb and delivered in his care, he assuming the 
payment of the postage, which at that time was seldom paid when 
a letter was posted and which was from six and a quarter to twen- 
ty-five cents on each letter. On receiving the letters he deposited 
them in his hat, and when inquiry was made for them, all that he 
would have to do was to remove his beaver and examine the con- 
tents. In the spring of this year (1831) a petition was sent to the 
Postmaster General praying the establishment of a postoffice in 
Macomb and the appointment of Mr. Campbell as postmaster. 
On the first of December a commission Avas received by him and 
the office established, the first in the county. 

This office he retained for fifteen years, save for about one quar- 
ter in 18-11, when he was removed and Geo. W. Damron ap- 
pointed. On learning of his removal, Judge Young, who at this 
time was a member of the United States Senate, made inquiries, 
and learning the cause of it, notified Mr. C, when evidence was 
taken and sent on disproving the charge made against him, and 
the postmaster general re-instated him.' 

In 1832, Mr. Campbell entered the service of the State under 
the call made bv the srovernor for volunteers in the Black Hawk 



330 HISTORY OF M'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

war. lie was in the battalion raised by Major Bogart iu McDon- 
ough aud Warren counties, and was out during its entire service, 
receiving as pay the munificent sum of eighty-six cents per day 
for self and horse. Again, in 1846, he received the appointment 
from the President as Commissary of the 3d regiment, Illinois 
Volunteers, for service in the Mexican war. lie was only out 
about three months, when supposing the war virtually at an end, 
he resigned his position and came home, soon again to be honored 
with oftice by his fellow citizens, for in the following year we find 
him elected as a member of the Constitutional Convention which 
framed the Constitution adopted in 1848. He was a member of 
the committee on miscellaneous business in this convention along 
with Gen. Singleton and others. In 1852 he was elected to the 
State Senate and served in that office four years, during which 
time he was a member of the finance committee, the most impor- 
tant of the committees. 

Mr. Campbell has always taken great interest in political affairs, 
and has ever been outspoken in the expression of his views. He 
was a strong Clay man previous to 1832, at which time Mr. Clay 
made his celebrated speech against the pre-emption of public lands 
by actual settlers. This he could not stand, and therefore arrayed 
himself with the opposition, who he thought favored more the rights 
of the common people. Since this time we find him an earne&t aud 
consistent Democrat, contending more for principle than for policy, 
which at any special time might seem of the most importance. 
Honoring the party, he has in turn been honored, having, in ad- 
dition to the offices mentioned above to which he was elected by 
the Democracy, been a member of the County Central Committee 
more years than any other man. He has been a member of every 
State Coiwention but two since 1836 ;'he represented the Democ- 
racy of the State twice in National Convention ; at Cincinnati, in 
1856, when James Buchanan was nominated for the Presidency, 
and in 1860, at Charleston and Baltimore, when Stephen A. Doug- 
las was nominated. He has served as member of the City Coun- 
cil and as a member of the Board of Supervisors several terms, 
and generally to the satisfaction of all his constituents. 

Mr. Campbell has been twice married ; the first time in August, 
1831, when he was married to Miss Clarissa Hempstead, in St. 
Charles, Mo., and with whom he lived eleven years, she departing 
this life in 1842. In 1843 he again married, this time to Mrs. 



HISTORY OF M DONOUOH COUNTY. o6l 

Louisa F. Berry, a daughter of John Farvvell,and a sister of Glad- 
den L. Farwell, of Macomb. The fruits of the first marriage 
were two sons and four daughters, and of the second, three sons 
and one dausfhter, Ilis first chikl was the first lemale child born 
in the town of Macomb. 

As a husband and father, Mr. Campbell is kind and affectionate; 
as a citizen, public spirited ; as a neighbor, he enjoys the confi- 
dence and respect of all ; to the poor he is ever considerate, and 
the worthy subject of charity never goes from his door empty- 
handed. No kinder hearted man ever lived than James Morrison 
Campbell, and although he has his faults, as others, we do not be- 
lieve he would do aught to the willful injury of any. He is a man 
of strong, positive character, and therefore has made many strong 
friends and equally strong enemies, the latter being, so far as 
known, only political ; personally he enjoys the esteem of each 
party alike. He is a man that has ever had the good of the city 
in which he lives at heart, and has worked hard and sacrificed 
much for its prosperity. He built the first store building in the 
town, the first frame building, the first school house, and the first 
public hall. I^ow, in his old age, he is not engaged actively in 
any business, his entire means being invested in public buildings, 
from the rent of which he receives an income sufficient for the 
support of himself and family. We could say much in reference 
to this man, but as the history of this county, in a measure, is a 
history of his lite, and as frequent mention is made in this volume 
of his public acts, and many anecdotes are given, we forbear say- 
ing more in this connection. 

nON. TIIOMPSOX CHANDLER. 

The old pioneers of the county are fast passing away, but here 
and there yet remains one who labored much to build up and 
beautify this noble country of ours. Few men have worked more 
earnestly and toiled longer, and whose efforts have been better re- 
warded, than Judge Chandler, of Macomb; but, then, the Judge 
comes of a hardy race, being born among the hills of Xew Hamp- 
shire, in the town ofAlstead, October 25, 1805. His early life 
was not unlike thousands of others who passed through the com- 
mon schools, and with a few months in the academy completed 
their education. He remained with his parents on the old home- 
stead until after he reached liis majority, thus showing a filial 
affection to be commended. In the spring of 1812 he left his 



332 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

native State and came west as far as Cincinnati, where be remained 
two years engaged in the mercantile trade with varying success. 
On the expiration of this time he thought to still better bis con- 
dition by yet removing still further west, and in that new country, 
lately opened to immigration, he might attain that success in life 
to which he aspired. Accordingly, in the spring of 1834, he 
lauded in Macomb, this county, where he has since continued to 
reside, an honored citizen and an esteemed friend, exhibiting in 
his life those traits of character which have rendered him so pop- 
ular among the people. For the first three years after his arrival 
in Macomb he engaged in the mercantile trade in company with 
the late William Richards, so well and favorably known among 
early settlers. His success in this business was as great as could 
be expected at that early day, when the settlers had little money 
and raised nearly all they ate or wore. Shortly after his arrival 
in Macomb he purchased the southeast quarter, section 86, Emmet 
township, and afterward the entire section, part of which he ob- 
tained for one dollar per acre and the balance for three dollars. 
The whole of the southeast quarter is now covered by dwelling- 
houses, from the humble cottage of the laboring man to the more 
palatial residence of the wealthier class, and is the finest part of 
the city of Macomb. From 1837 to the present time, a period of 
forty years, Mr. Chandler has been engaged in farming, save a 
period of one year while in California. In 1849, with many 
others, he took up his line of march to the new Eldorado, where 
he engaged for one year in mining and trading, having fair suc- 
cess in either operation, but experiencing enough of the hardships 
of the country in that time. On his return he again engaged in 
his regular calling, which, as remarked, he has followed to the 
present time. In addition to the regular work of the farm, he 
has for many years been engaged in raising stock, and was prob- 
ably the first in the county to take an interest in improving the 
breed. At every meeting of the McDonough County Agricul- 
tural Association since its organization, his herd of cattle has 
attracted considerable attention and almost every year he has taken 
one or more ])remiams on his display. 

In politics Afr. Chandler is now and always has been a democrat 
of the old school, in tiie years of his manhood voting with and 
working for the success of the democratic ticket. However oth- 
ers may have faltered in devotion to the principles of the old party 
he always remained firm, and through evil and good report he 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 333 

has labored for the success of the party. Honoring the part}', he 
has ill time been honored by it, in receiving the nomination and 
election to various offices of trust. He has filled in a satisfactory 
manner the offices of Trustee of the town, Alderman of the city, 
Justice of the Peace, member of the Board of Supervisors, and 
County Judge, in the latter office serving from 1853 to 1861, a 
period of eight years. No man that has ever occupied the office 
has discharged its duties in a more satisfactory manner. While 
in this office many cases of importance were tried before him, his 
decisions usually being accepted as final by contesting parties. 
As a niember of the 13oard of Trustees, Alderman or Supervisors' 
Court, he brought in the discharge of the duties of each the same 
unswerving desire to do right in all his public acts, having the in- 
terests of all his constituents ever before him, and laboring earnest- 
ly and zealously to promote the good ©f all. His popularity on 
this account has ever been great, and we have more than once ot- 
served that when his party desired an unexceptionable strong man 
they always brought out Thompson Chandler, and seldom has he 
ever been defeated. Many times has the large majorities of the 
opposition been overcome or reduced to an insignificant amount 
through reasen of his popularity. The cause of this will be men- 
tioned further on in this sketch. 

Judge Chandler was married on the third day of February, 
1831, to Miss Lucy B. Towne, of Stodard, Xew Hampshire. 
Four children have they been blessed wnth — three boys and one 
girl. All are yet living save one, Albert B., the second son, who 
died on the fifteenth day of September, 1877, at the residence of 
his brother, G. C. Chandler, of Chicago. Albert B. had been sick 
for a long time with consumption, brought on, doubtless, by ex- 
posure. He was a hard-working, industrious young man, toiling 
early and late, with the laudable desire of adding to his posses- 
sions. His last sickness he bore with remarkable fortitude, and he 
passed peacefully away, surrounded by those who gladly would 
have relieved him of his sufferings. He was buried in Oakwood 
Cemetery, near Macomb, the funeral services being conducted by 
Elder G. "W. Mapes. Of those yet living, Solon F., the oldest, is 
engaged in farming and stock-raising near Macomb; Gardner C. 
is engaged in the wholesale hardware trade in Chicago, and has 
been doing a thriving business; Mary Almeda is the wife of 
Crosby F. Wheat, Esq., a leading lawyer of Macomb, and for 
some years County Attorney of McDonough county. 



334 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

Judge Chandler is rather below the medium height, and 
although in the seventy-third year of his age is quite active, and 
in his younger days must have been extremely so. As a husband 
and father he is kind and indulgent, as a citizen he is enterpris- 
ing, as a friend and neighbor he is universally respected; few men 
have ever stood higlier in the estimation of his fellow-citizens. 
We have stated that he has always been popular -with the people, 
especially has this been the case with the poorer class, whose 
friend he has always been. Although having dealings with this 
class to a considerable extent, we have yet to hear of the first case 
in which he ever oppressed them in any way — many poor men 
owe their homes to his kindness and forbearance in not prosecuting 
his claims against them. It is therefore no wonder he is popular, 
and may he ever be so. 

JAMES CLARKE. ^ ■ ^ 

The subject of our present sketch was among the earliest settlers 
of our county, and for years occupied official positions that 
brought him before the people as much as any other man within 
its border. lie was born in Lincoln county, Kentucky, Septem- 
ber 26, 1797. His parents were John and Ann (Whitten) Clarke, 
Nj^ the father being a soldier of the revol utionary war. They were 
in very moderate circumstances, and when James was but a babe 
removed to A^ashington county, in the same State, engaging in 
the occupation of farming, their son assisting them as soon as he 
arrived at an age when he could bo of service, remaining at home 
until eighteen years of age, when he left to learn the trade of hat- 
ter, which trade he followed for some years. A few months at- 
tendance in the cojnmon schools was all the educational advantages 
that he ever enjoyed, but that little he made the best of in after 
life. The same general traits of character for which he was noted 
when more advanced in life was observable in youth. He was a 
quiet, steady and industrious boy, never engaging in any of the 
rude sports of the time, and of good moral habits. 

On the twenty-first day of May, 1818, a few months before reach- 
ing his majority, he was married to JMiss ^Luy Lewis, in Wash- 
ington county, Kentucky, with whom he lived happily a period of 
iifty-eight years, or until death called him away. Eleven children 
were born unto them, eight sons and three daughters, the latter, 
with one son, the eldest of the family, yet dwelling upon this side 
the river, the rest having passed over. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 335 

Realizing the almost utter impossibility of the poor ever becom- 
ing rich, or even obtaining a respectable living in the old states, 
especially the slave states, Mr. Clarke determined on emigrating 
to Illinois, and in the year 1820, with his family, removed to Mor- 
gan county, in this State, where they remained but one year, and 
in the spring of 1830 came to this county. When he arrived here 
he found but few families, and only scattered settlements here and 
there. In the neighborhood of the present city of Macomb, 
where he settled, there were but two families, Elias McFadden, 
then living on the Hunter farm, south of town, and John Baker, 
living near where the Fourth Ward school house now stands. The 
county was without organization, all local business being trans- 
acted in Schuyler county, and the nearest postoflice being in 
Rushville, of the same county. In the summer after his arrival 
steps were taken to organize the county, Mr. Clarke being very 
active in the matter. In the first election he was elected one of 
the three County Commissioners, and was re-elected several times, 
serving, we believe, about eight years. He also served several 
years as Probate Justice. When a change was made in the gov- 
ernment of counties, by the constitution of 1848, he was elected 
County Judge, which office he held for four years. He was also 
a member of the first city council of JSIacomb, and for years Avas 
a Justice of the Peace of the county. In the discharge of his 
official duties he endavored to render satisfaction to all, and was 
always popular with the people. As Mr. Clarke is frequently 
mentioned in this work in connection with his public work, it is 
needless to say more in this place. 



(xil.'^-O 



DAVID CLARKE. 



David Clarke,.the son of John and Ann (Whitten) Clarke, was 
born on the 28tli day of September, 1799, in Washington County 
Ivy. Here he resided with his parents until after he reached his 
majoiity. At four years of age he was sent to one of the com- 
mon schools of his native count}', and continued going at 
intervals until he was eight, Avhen he was put to work upon 
the farm by his parents, who were in only moderate circum- 
stances, and here was kept at hard labor until he reached his ma- 
jorit}-. At sixteen he was permitted to attend school three 
weeks, which finished his education. When he reached his 
majority he placed himself under the instruction of a music 
teacher for some months, acquiring a pretty thorough knowl- 



66b HISTORY OF M DONOUGH COUNTY. 

edge of the science of music, as taught in that day. As soon 
as he iii?ished. liis course, he adopted the teaching of music 
as a profession, and for three years he traveled constantly through 
the State engaged in that work. Iji early life he connected, him- 
self with the Baptist Church, and when only twenty-two years of 
age compiled a hymn book which he denominated "Clarke's 
Hymns." This book was adopted by the Baptists and several 
other denominations in iventucky, and continued in use for many 
years. Two large editions were issued and speedily sold. Many 
copies are yet in existence, and held as precious heirlooms by 
their possessors. 

On the twenty-fourth day of November, 1825, he was married 
to Eliza Swink Russell, daughter of Samuel Russell, in Green 
county, Kentucky. Samuel Russell was well known as one of the 
pioneers of this county. Twelve children were born unto them, 
four only of wdiom are now living, viz : Margaret M., wife of 
Corydon C. Chapman, Christopher Columbus, ^Samuel James, and 
Annie E., wife of Sidney S. Chapman. 

In the fall of 1830 he removed with his family to this county, 
where he has since resided, being well known to nearly every citi- 
zen, especially the older settlers. For many years in the early day 
he run a "tavern," which at that time was more of a public resort 
than the "hotel" of to-day. Here the people for miles around 
assembled to discuss the news of the time and to indulge in drink 
For four years he was town constable, and eight years a justice of 
the peace. Paring the first four years he was justice he tried 
over nine hundred cases, a very large docket at that time. lie 
was ever ready to render a decision, and as soon as a case on trial 
was finished, his judgment was rendered and recorded in his 
docket. Of all the cases appealed from his decision to the Circuit 
Court, he never had a judgment reversed. Few justices transact- 
ing the amount of business done by him can say as much. 

David Clarke is full six feet in height, well built, and has an 
excellent constitution. He is also a man of iron will— one that 
cannot be swerved from that he considers right. When he de- 
clares his intention of doing anything, if in the range of possibil- 
ities, it will be done. In the early part of 1811, while under the 
influence of intoxicating drinks, a habit which, unfortunately, had 
had grown on him previous to that time, he injured himself 
somewhat by a fall, when he vowed that he would never drink 



HISTORY OF m'dONOL'GII COUNTY. 337 

another drop, which voav he has ever kept inviolate from that day 
to this, not even having partaken of a glass of lemonade — a glass 
of cider he wonld no more take than so much deadly poison. He 
is a radical temperance man, and not ashamed to own the fact. 
For a number of years he acted as Deputy Grand Worthy 
Patriarch for the State at large, of the Sous of Temperance, and 
has instituted a goodly number of divisions. In consequence of 
advanced age he does not now take that active part in the work 
as formerly, but his heart yet goes out in sympathy with every 
movement for the success of the temperance cause. 

CHARLES CHANDLER. 

History has long since established the fact that our best and 
greatest men are by no means confined to the ranks of those en- 
nobled by birth, or surrounded from childhood with every facility 
for education or moral and social culture. The linest natures are, 
indisputably, those who override with their latent force and mental 
power every obstacle, and aim, by virtue of their indomitable wills, 
to attain that honorable precedence among men, that, if conferred 
solely by the accident of birth, is far less the merit than the good 
fortune of its possessor. Charles Chandler, though descending 
from an illustrious family on both his father's and mother's side, 
has the pleasure of ascribing whatever good fortune that has been 
bestowed upon him, not by inheritance, but from his own personal 
exertions, the exercise of his own indomitable will. Coming to 
the county at an early day, and with very little means, he seized 
upon every favorable chance for the accumulation of wealth. 

Charles Chandler was born in Alstead, N". H., on the twenty- 
eighth of August, 1809. His parents were James and Abigail 
(Vilas) Chandler, the former being a native of New Hampshire, and 
the latter of Massachusetts. Mrs. Chandler died the twenty-ninth 
of November, 1854, aged seventy-nine years, and three years after, 
viz, on the eighteenth of November, 1857, Mr. Chandler departed this 
life, aged eighty-six years. The early life of Charles was spent with 
his parents upon the farm and in attendance upon the common 
schools of his native State, the only institution of learning that he 
was ever permitted to attend. When nineteen years of age he 
was permitted by his parents to go to Boston, Massachusetts, that 
he might enter a mercantile establishment, where he remained two 
years, becoming quite proficient in the sale of goods. At the ex- 
piration of this time he returned to the farm, and remained there 



338 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUiNTY. 

one year, whenhe conceived the idea of coming AVest; accordmgh' 
he came as faras Cincinnati, ^vhere he remained two years, and from 
thence he came to Macomb, in this county, arriving in the spring 
of 1834. Those familiar with the county at that date will remember 
the town of Macomb contained about two hundred inhabitants, that 
three or four stores did all the business of the place, and that 
there were no farms upon the prairie at all, it being regarded as 
80 much waste land. A brother of Mr. Chandler (Hon. Thomp- 
son Chandler) had preceeded him a few months, and was engaged 
in the mercantile trade in company with Mr. William Richards, 
under the firm name of Richards & Chandler. Mr. Chandler en- 
gaged with them as a clerk, continuing that relation for two 
years, a part of the time being with the firm of Messrs. Simpson 
& Miller. At the expiration of this time he went into business 
for himself as a merchant, but only continued one year, when he 
sold out and engaged in the real estate business, which he fol- 
lowed for some years with great success. In 1845, in company 
with Jonathan II. Baker, he again engaged in the mercantile 
trade, which relation was continued some two or three years, the 
firm doing a large and profitable business, on the old Campbell 
corner, Macomb. When he disposed of his interest in this estab- 
lishment he remained out of any regular business for a year or 
two, when he again embarked in the real estate trade. It will be 
remembered that about this time land was very cheap, the best 
improved in the county not bringing more than five dollars per 
acre. Although Mr. Chandler probably did not then dream of 
the county securing a railroad, with all its great advantages, he 
yet saw in the rich soil and fair climate of the Military Tract an 
inducement to settlement which in time would be seen and real, 
ized by all ; therefore he did not fear to invest his means in the 
purchase of every quarter that he could obtain. He well knew 
that in time the land would bring a high price in the market. 
That he was wise in this conclusion is proven by the result. 
When the great jS'orthern Cross, now Chicago, Burlington and 
(^uincy railroad, was built, land advanced at a rapid rate, settlers 
came into the country in great numbers, and his fortune was 
made. When the T., P & W. railroad was built it found Mr. 
Chandler the possessor of the greater part of Sciota township, 
and the rise in the value benefited him thousands of dollars. It 
cannot be said this gain was the result of luck. Far from it. It 
was the result of the far-sightedness of the man. Others had the 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 839 

same opportunities and the means to purchase all that Mr. Chand- 
ler secured, but they reached forth no hand to secure the prize. 
His eyes were open to the main chance and he improved it. In 
all his real estate operations Mr. Chandler was eminently success- 
ful. No man was better adapted to the business. While engaged 
in this line of trade he got up a set of records to facilitate trans- 
actions in the purchase and sale of lands, whicli were of great 
service. 

On the fitteeuth day of December, 1836, Mr. Chandler was 
united in marriage to Miss Sarah K. Cheatham, daughter of Sam- 
uel G. Cheatham, Esq. Seven children were born unto them, 
three only of whom are now living, the rest, with the loved mother, 
passing on to the other side of the great river. Mrs. Chandler de- 
parted this life September, 1866, her loss being deeply felt by the 
husband and motherless children and by the entire community 
where she had resided, and endeared herself to so many hearts. She 
was a most exemplary member of the Church of Christ, in Ma- 
comb, showing forth in her life the fruits of the spirit, which are 
love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, and brotherly kind- 
ness. She died fully trusting in the promises of the Lord, and in 
the sweet bj'e-and-bye she now awaits the coming of other loved 
ones. 

Of the children living, Martha Abagail Chandler, the eldest, is 
now the wife of Henry C. Twyman, Esq., a leading merchant of 
Macomb, and resides in that city. Charles Yilasco Chandler, the 
second child, was born January 25, 1843. He is now assistant 
cashier of the First National Bank, a leading business man of 
Macomb, and has held the office of City Treasurer for some years, 
and was two years a member of the Board of Supervisors of the 
county. He was in the army for the suppression of the rebellion, 
and was Adjutant of the 7Hth Regiment Illinois Volunteers. 
James Edgar Chandler was born March 20, 1850; is now assist- 
ant cashier of the Farmers' National Bank, of Bushnell, and one 
of the leading business men of that city, and has held several 
city offices. 

When the old Whig parly was in existence, Mr. Chandler gave 
it allegiance, and on the organization of the Republican party, he 
embraced its principles, and to the present time he has strenuously 
advocated them. During the war he took an active part in secur- 
ing enlistments and sending men into the field, being incapacitated 



340 HISTORY OF m'doxough county. 

on account of age and bodily health from going himself to the 
front. For the services rendered, Governor Yates commissioned 
him as Colonel of State Militia, with power to raise a regiment for 
home service. 

Although never aspiring to public office, and the nature of his 
business being such as to incapacitate him for active political life, 
Mr. Chandler has frequently been honored by his party and friends 
with office, having served the county as Coroner for two years, 
and as County School Commissioner tor four years. In the city 
of Macomb he was Justice of the Peace for many years. Alderman 
two years, and Mayor of city one term. In each position he dis- 
charged its duties to the satisfaction of his constituents, bringing 
to bear upon every part of the work the same careful management 
that characterized him in the transaction of las own private busi- 
ness. If, in the management of his own affairs he never took; a 
leap in the dark, and always knew almost to a certaint}'^ the result 
of an investment ; if he was a close calculator and studied economy 
in his own business, he likewise was governed by these same prin- 
ciples in public affairs. Ko man in McDonough county would be 
more implicitly trusted in the management of its business than 
Charles Chandler. 

In 1858 Mr. Chandler embarked in the banking business in 
Macomb, and has continued in it to the present day. At this 
time, it will be remembered, many failures of bankers and other 
business men were occurring all over the country, yet notwith- 
standing, the people of the county reposed in him unl^ounded 
confidence and trusted him implicitly, depositing with him their 
means without fear that their trust would be betrayed. Hard 
times continued until the second 3'ear of the war. In 1861 the 
country was drained of its silver as well as of its gold, and suffi- 
cient change for the transaction of business could not be obtained. 
At this juncture Mr. Chandler issued several thousand dollars of 
"scrip" of the denomination of five, ten, twenty-five, and fifty 
cents each, which were readily received by the people everywhere, 
and we doubt not that to-day there is a small quantity of this cur- 
rency scattered throughout the country and held as a souvenir of 
the war. As a private banker Mr. Chandler continued until 1865, 
when a charter was obtained and a company formed for the or- 
ganization of a l^ational Bank. At a meeting of the stockholders 
he was unanimously elected its president, which position he yet 



HISTORY OF M DONOUGII COUNTY. 841 

retains. Through careful and judicious management the bank 
has become one of the strongest in the State in proportion to the 
capital invested. During this same year of the organization of 
the First ]!^ational Bank of Macomb, Mr. Chandler, in company 
with John B. Cummings, started a banking house in Bushnell 
under the firm name of Chandler & Cummings. As a private 
bank this institution was continued until 1870, when it was orcran- 
ized as the Farmers' National Bank, Mr. Chandler becoming one 
of the largest stockholders and one of its directors. This house 
likewise maintains an excellent reputation. 

For some years the health of Mr. Chandler has not been orood 
which has necessitated his spending considerable time in travel. 
He has spent several winters in the Southern States, especially in 
Florida, and made trips to South America, Central America, 
"West India Islands, California, Mexico, and other places, and as 
might be expected has seen many of the wonders of the world. 
Even when away for health or pleasure, he has had his eyes open 
to the main chance and made some fortunate ventures. 

A word in regard to the ma?i. If we were writing for the pre- 
sent generation alone this would be unnecessary, as he is too well 
known by every citizen of the county. But we write for the fu- 
ture, for those who live after us, and therefore it becomes necessa- 
ry to speak of the inner life of those of whom we write, as well 
as of their public acts, describing each as they exist, that those 
who read of them ma}'' know the men that were instrumental in 
the organization and material prosperity of our county. Charles 
Chandler is about live feet six inches in height, and weighs about 
one hundred and sixty pounds. In personal appearance he is [a 
model of neatness, a face smoothly shaven and wearing apparel 
always in good taste. In the family circle he was always kind 
and indulgent to his children and grand children, treating them 
with a tenderness that begot love in their hearts. In public 
he pursues the same course, treating all with kind consideration. 
If approached for a favor he never rudely repulses if he cannot 
grant the request, but simply refuses in a manner that does 
not lower the dignity of the one asking it. To one that he 
considers worthy, he will assist with pleasure; therefore it is not 
to be wondered that he has many strong friends and few enemies. 



II— -J-J 



342 HISTORY OF m'donough county. 

JOHN M. CRABB. 

The "Crabb settlement," five miles northeast of Macomb, is well 
known to every citizen of the county, and the members of the 
family comprising it, from whom it was named, are each pleasant 
and agreeable men, good citizens, enjoying the unqualified respect 
of all. John M. Crabb, the father of those bearing that name in 
the settlement, was born in Westmoreland county, ^'irginia, 
September 1, 1792 ; was the son of Daniel and Frances (Middleton) 
Crabb, who were both natives of England, but wlio came to this 
country prior to the revolutionary war, Mrs. Crabb was a sister 
of Arthur Middleton, one of the signers of the immortal declara- 
tion of independence, an instrument which brought freedom to 
three millions of people then living, and which has been kept in- 
tact until we now number over forty millions of beings, free in 
every sense of the word. To sign that instrument required not 
only patriotism, but courage of a high order, and this patriotism 
and this conrage we believe has been transmitted to all the lineal 
descendants of the family. 

John M., of whom we now write, was left an orphan at a very 
early age, his mother dying when he was but two years old, and 
his father some four years after. Thus, at the age of six, he was 
bereft of kind parents, the kind love of whom he never experienced. 

On the death of his father, he was taken by an uncle, Samuel 
Crabb, with whom he remained until the breaking out of the war 
^of 1812. This uncle endeavored to do his whole duty by his lone- 
ly nephew, and doubtless succeeded as well as any but a parent 
oould succeed. Ilis memory was always held in grateful remem- 
brance by John. 

In that early day the school facilities of the country were very 
limited, and unless possessed of great wealth, few could obtain an 
education such as is now required of the youth of our land. Mr. 
Crabb, therefore, was only instructed in those branches taught in 
the common schools of his native State, but the will, power and 
determination to do of the man availed him much instead. 

When war M'ith Great Britain was proclaimed in 1812, Mr. 
Crabb, then in his twentieth year, was among the first to enlist. 
lie served his country faithfully as a private soldier for two years, 
proving that he came from good old revolutionary stock. For that 
service he received eight dollars per month and a land warrant at 
the close of the war. 



HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGH COUNTY. 343 

lie was married to Miss Ann Flemine; hx whom he had ten 
children, tive sons, and five daughters, eight of whom remain up- 
on this side of the river of death, two, one son and one daughter, 
having passed on to the beautiful land beyond the grave. The 
mother, too, in April, 1851, joined the immortal throng above, 
dying in the full assurance of faith, having been a consistent mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal ('hurch, from the time she was fif- 
teen years of age until the day of her death, a period of 39 yeare. 
"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, yea, and from hence- 
forth they shall rest from their labors and their works do follow 
them." The memory of this excellent woman is revered by all 
who knew her, especiall}' do her children recall the kind and 
loving ways of that mother, who, in matters of discipline, was so 
ditferent from the father, and who always conquered their stub- 
born wills by the power of love, gently persuading where they 
could not be driven. O, the power of a mother's love, nothing 
can equal it, save the Savior's dying love as shown upon the cross. 

In 1828 Mr. Crabb with his family, then consisting of a wife 
and six children, moved from Virginia to Montgomery county, 
Ohio, thinking to better his fortunes in a newer countr\\ Here 
they only remained one year, when a change was made to Clin- 
ton county in the same State, where they continued to reside until 
the fall of 1836, when another change was made, this time to the 
regions of McDonough county, where the}- arrived on the four- 
teenth of iSTovember, 1837. For a few weeks they lived in the 
village of Macomb, when, leasing the east half of section 16, 
Macomb towhship, the family moved on this as soon as a house 
could be provided. The following spring, buying eighty acres of 
the same section, Mr. Crabb, with his boys, began tc till the soil, 
which for forty-one years has continued to 3'ieW bountiful har- 
vests. Xo other business did he ever follow than that of tiller of 
the soil, an occupation suited to his nature. Although he did not 
amass wealth, as did many, he added to his possessions from time 
until he had acquired sufficient means to render him comfortable 
while life should last. Up to his fifty-fourth year he continued 
to labor hard, after wdiich time he surrendered the laborious part 
of the work to his sons, who had grown up around him and who 
physically were able to endure the burdens and hardships of a 
farmer's life. AVhen he first settled on his place Abner AValker 
was the only neighbor he had, he living then about one mile east. 
The fever and ague was very common in the country at that 



344 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

time and the family all enjoyed a touch of it. AVe have remarked 
that Abner Walker was the only neighbor. Vie might qualify it 
by saying human neighbor, for all around him were prairie 
wolves in great numbers, so bold they would come to his very 
doors and from the yard kill the fowls which he had provided. 
The annual prairie fires w^ere then very destructive and great care 
had to be exercised to prevent their crops and even buildings from 
being destroyed. Mr. Crabb, long before the grass would begin 
to dry, would have his entire fields plowed around to prevent the 
spread of the fire when it should come. In this way he saved 
himself from loss by prairie fires. 

John M. Crabb was a man about five feet eleven inches in height, 
weighing one hundred and sixty five pounds, cleanly shaven face, 
save for a short time before his death, when he suffered his beard 
to grow around his throat. He was possessed of great firmness of 
character, and with his children his word was law' ; when he com- 
manded, obey they must. He was very fond of amusements, 
especially out door kind, yet never carried his love of the ridicu- 
lous to excess. He believed there w^as a time and place for every- 
thing, and nothing approaching levity should be permitted where 
sobriety should be the rule. He always attended to his own busi- 
ness in his own way, neither asking or caring whether he suited 
others or not, though never doing that which would seem to be 
done intentionally to wound the feelings of another. For many 
years he was a consistent member of the M. E. Church, of which 
body his wife was likewise connected, having united while a citi- 
zen of Montgomery county, Ohio. The last congregation witli 
which he was connected was the one in Bardolph, this count}'. 
Mr. Crabb departed this life on the tenth day of November, 1865, 
being at the time seventy-three 3'ears, two months, and nine days 
old. He died at the old homestead, surrounded by his children, 
all of whom had reached man and woman's estate; all of whom 
were married, save one. Calling tliem around him, and speaking 
of his grand children he said, " Bring them up right." These 
were the last words he ever uttered, showing his great concern for 
the temporal welfare of each. He then passed peacefully away, 
joining his loved companion, who fourteen years previously had 
been taken from him, and, together with the glorified throng, sing- 
the song of redemption on the evergreen shore. Rev. John Mc- 
Ginnis, a former pastor, who was intimately acquainted with him, 



HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGH COUNTY. 345 

preached the funeral sermon, and he was Laid quietly away in the 
home burial ground beside the bodies of other loved ones. 

DANIEL M. CRABB. 

Daniel M. Crabb, the eldest son of John M. and Ann Crabb, 
was born in Frederick county, Virginia, on the fourteenth day of 
JSTovember, 1823, and when five years old removed with his pa- 
rents to Ohio, from which place they came to McDonough county, 
where they arrived on the thirteenth birth day of the subject of 
our present sketch. From that time to the present he has been a 
citizen of this county, living in the well known Crabb Settlement, 
in Macomb township. His entire life has been that of a farmer, 
having never engaged in any other occupation. 

Previous to his arrival in Macomb he attended the common 
schools of Ohio, and after his arrival in this county, went for a 
short time to the old "Prairie school," near the present residence 
of Pat. Laughlin, Esq., three miles north ot Macomb, and about 
the same distance from his fathers residence. 

On the sixth day of March, 1850, Mr. Crabb, was married to 
Miss Kebecca h^. Hampton, with whom he lived ten years, she dy- 
ing in 1860. Mr. Crabb was again married on the sixth day of 
March, ]86l', to Miss Mary E. Bards, with whom he yet happily 
lives. Three children blessed the former union, and one the pre- 
sent, all of whom are yet living. 

About the year 1841, Mr. Crabb made a profession of religion 
and united with the M. E. Church. In 1871, he changed his 
church relations by uniting with the Evangelical Lutheran church, 
at present located in the city Macomb, his wife also uniting with 
that congregation, though she had for several years been a de- 
voted member of that zealous body of christian people. Mr. C. 
now occupies the position of Trustee in that church. 

])aniel M. Crabb is a little below medium height, but well and 
strongly built, black hair and beard, dark complexion, strong will 
and quick temper, which he has well under control. In the family 
circle, he is very pleasant and agreeable and neighborly with all. 
1^0 man in his neighborhood is esteemed more highl}'^, and is ex- 
pected to lead in all matters pertaining to the welfare of his neigh- 
borhood and township. 

J. B. CUMMINGS. 

Among the representative men of McDonough county, the sub- 
ject of our present sketch stands prominently. His parents were 



34G HISTORY OF .m"j)ONOUGII COUNTY. 

James and Kachel (Hall) Cummings, natives, we believe, of the 
State of Maryland, where in Cecil county, of that State, was born 
John B. Cummings, on the seventeenth day of January, 1824. 
His early life was spent upon a farm, and in the private or select 
schools of his native State and Ohio, to which latter place the 
family removed on the death of his father, which occured in the 
early part of the year 1837. The family settled in Harrison 
county, of this latter State, where they remained three years, go- 
ing from thence to Butler county, Pennsylvania,. After settling 
up affairs, on the death of his father, but little was left, and the 
support of the family fell upon John and an older sister, the latter 
engaging as a teacher, while John secured a place as clerk in a dry 
goods and grocery store, which occupation he followed for some 
years, or until enabled to go into business for himself, 

Mr, Cummings has been twice married; first to Miss Evaline 
E. Pearson, in Butler county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1847; 
second to Mrs, Mary E. Parkinson, of Macomb, the latter event 
taking place in 1864, By his first wife he had six children and 
one by his last. The first Mrs, Cummings died in Macomb in 
1862 beloved by all who knew her. 

In 1851 Mr. Cummings came to the "Great "West," as then 
called, and took up his residence at Macomb, in this county, 
where he resided until his removal to the city of BuslmcU in 
1865, Shortly after coming to JMacomb, in company with Mr. 
John B, Pearson, he purchased the stock and good will of Messrs. 
Randolph & Parkinson in the dry goods and grocery trade, con- 
tinuing the same, with some changes, until 1857, when he retired 
from the firm that he might accept the position of clerk in the 
newly established banking house of Charles Chandler & Co., 
which position he retained until his election to the office of Clerk 
of the Circuit Court of McDonough county in 1860. At this elec- 
tion he ran for the office against William T. Head, one of the 
most popular men in the county, receiving a small majority, not- 
withstanding the county had never previously given a majority 
in favor of the party to which Mr. C. belonged. Mr. Head not 
content with the result, contested the election, but the court, 
before whom the ease was tried, decided in Mr. Cummings' favor. 
At the expiration of his term of office he removed to Buslinell, 
and in company with Charles Chandler, started a private banking 
house under the firm name of Chandler & Cummings, Mr, Chand- 
ler residing in Macomb and being engaged in a similar enterprise. 



HISTORY OF m'doxougii countv. 347 

the business of the Bushiiell firm was conducted by Mr. Cum- 
mine^s alone. In 1871 a charter was obtained for a National Bank, 
the firm invested their means in the same, and, together with other 
parties, organized the Farmers' National Bank, with Mr. Cum- 
mings as cashier and general manager, which position he yet re- 
tains. 

On his removal to Bushnell, with his accustomed zeal, Mr. Cum- 
mings at once entered upon the work of promoting the interests 
of that go-ahead young town — no public enterprise but what se- 
cured his hearty and active co-operation. On the organization of 
the town as a city, in 1869, he was elected its first Mayor, and 
three times has since been re-elected, serving his constituents in a 
manner to secure the approval of the great majority. 

In 1873 he united with the Keformed Church in Bushnell, and 
shortly after was elected to the Superintendency of its Sunday 
School, which position he yet retains. In this field of Christian 
labor, he takes considerable interest, and has the reputation of 
being a very capable and efficient superintendent. 

John B. Cummings is a man about five feet seven inches high, 
slender proportions, black hair, tinged with gray, rather thin 
beard of the same color, a good mathematical head, and is a good 
judge of human nature. A.s a financier he has no superior in the 
county — the aftairs of the bank with which he is connected, and 
of which be has had the management for thirteen j^ears, has been 
carefully and judiciously managed, both for the best interests of 
its stockholders and depositors. No complaint, to our knowledge, 
has ever been made against him by stockholder or patron. In 
business hours he is always found at his place of business, giving 
attention to its minutest details, and with a desire to render satis- 
faction to all who may favor the bank with its patronage. While 
Clerk of the Circuit Court of this county he gave the same gene- 
ral care to the details of that ofiice. Having business to transact 
with hundreds throughout the county, he treated all in a way to 
secure their friendship and good will. Although beaten for the 
same office in 1864, it was not on account of the loss of any per- 
sonal popularity, but from causes resulting from the war. In the 
discharge of his duties as Mayor of the city of Bushnell he has en- 
deavored to be impartial in all things, worlcing for the best inter- 
ests of the place. In the expenditure of money, while he would 
manage all things economically, ho would nc^tbe niggardly in any 



348 HISTORY OF iM'dONjUGH COUNTY. 

matter. In the cause of education lie has been a consistent advo- 
cate of our public school system, and believes in making the same 
general improvement in this department as in all others. In the 
erection of the school building, which is now the pride of Bush- 
nell, he took an especial interest, and to him more than any other 
man is due the building of the same. In private life Mr. Cum- 
mings is a kind friend and neighbor, enjoying the respect of all ; 
as a husband and father, he is kind and gentle, inspiring the love 
and contidence of his entire family. 

B. A. DUNCAN, M. D. 

Dr. B. A. Duncan, son of Jonathan and Leatha Duncan, is of 
Scotch, Irish and English descent, and was born April 6, 1825, in 
Frankfort, Washington county, Pennsylvania. But little is known 
of his family, or of his early history, except that his father gave 
him such an education as would fit him for the medical profession 
which he had chosen for his life work. His preparatory medical 
studies were conducted under the tutorship of Dr. Alexander 
McCandless, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, graduating from the 
Medical College, in the same city, in the year 1845. In 1849, he 
came to Illinois and settled in McDonough county, on the site of 
the present village of Industry. At that time this flourishing 
village was comparatively a wilderness, wild game of all kinds 
w^ere abundant, and the dwellings few and iar betw^een. But here 
was a good and favorable opportunity for one with will and deter- 
mination to secure a competency for himself and make a name 
honored among men. As the country grew in population and in 
wealth, the practice of Dr. Duncan kept pace with it, and became 
very extensive, his success in all branches of his profession being 
good. Few physicians had a larger practice and none were more 
highly respected and trusted by the people. lie w^^s for many 
years a member of the McDonough county Medical Association 
and in its meetings took great interest. For thirty-two years of 
his life, his wliole time was spent in study and in the practice of 
his profession, with the exception of a few months in the service 
of his country as a member of the 138tli regiment Illinois Volun- 
teer Infantry. In this regiment he enlisted as a private in Co. A, 
Captain McClenahan, of Monmouth, and was assigned to duty as 
Hospital Steward. 

Dr. Duncan has been twice married. First, with Miss Julia 
Standard, on the tenth day of May, 1845, by whom he had three 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. o49 

children, viz., Jonathan, Fleetwood and Thomas, the first named 
suffering a violent death, on the 29th of September, 1867, at the 
age of fourteen. Mrs. Duncan died of consumption on the first 
day of November, 1863. The doctor's second marriage was on 
the eighth day of November, 1864, with Miss Martha Merrick, who 
still survives him. By this last marriage there were six children 
born unto them, all of whom are yet living. 

In 1856 the doctor made a profession of religion, and united 
with the Presbyterian Church, but for some reason did not long 
remain in connection with that body. Although his relations with 
the local congregation was severed, he never denied his Master, but 
continued to manifest an interest in the work of the Lord's vine- 
yard, and when professional duties would admit, was always pres- 
ent in the Lord's house, and was a co-laborer and worker in the 
cause of Christ. In his last illness he conversed freely with all on 
the subject of religion, his hope of receiving the crown of life 
brightening as he neared the end, and often did he express a de- 
sire to depart and be at rest. His disease was rather obscure and 
very complicated, while his sufferings were intense, but he endured 
it all with remarkable patience for eight months, closing this life 
on the thirty-first of March, 1877. The funeral services were con- 
ducted by the Rev, J. S. Budd, pastor of the M. E. Church, as- 
sisted by the Kev. J. L. Towner, of the Christian Church, and 
took place at his late residence. Although the weather was very 
inclement, a large congregation assembled to pay the last tribute 
of respect to a kind husband, a loving and indulgent parent, and 
esteemed citizen and friend. 

By his request, Mrs. Duncan was appointed Administratrix, a 
position which by education and natural business tact, she is well 
qualified to fill. Under her care, the property left for her benefit, 
and of the fatherless children, will not be squandered. 

Few men in any community ever had the opportunity of being 
better known than Dr. B. A. Duncan. Coming to the country when 
it was new, and growing with it, and for many years being the 
only physician in the neighborhood, there was probably not 
a family in Industry township but what at some time he visited 
as a professional man. It is therefore not wonderful that his 
death was mourned by many sympathizing friends, who knew and 
loved the man for his many good qualities of head and heart. 
But the loss of the family and friends in his gain. "Blessed are 



350 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

the (lead who die in the Lord; yea and from henceforth they shall 
rest troni their labors and their works do follow them." 

CAPTAIN S. A. EPPERSON. 

The parents of the subject of our present sketch were James 
II. and Martha (Osborne) Epperson. They were hard-working, 
industrious, and honest people, respected by all who were ac- 
quainted with them. 8. A., their second son, of whom w^e now 
write, was born in Greencastle, Ind., on the tenth day of October, 
1837. AVhen but three years of age his parents removed to Mar- 
shall, Clark county, 111., where they remained but one year, when 
they continued their journey farther West, stopping in Iowa City, 
in the then territory of Iowa. Here they remained until the 
death of the mother, which occurred in 1845. The elder Epper- 
son then took his eldest son, John L., and went to the lead mines 
of Wisconsin, leaving S. A. in the care of a couple named Hill, 
where he remained about three years, experiencing many hard- 
ships, the memory of wdiich will never be obliterated while life 
shall last. 

JSTearly all the educational advantages enjoyed by S. A. were in 
attendance upon the common schools of Iowa City, which at that 
time were not the best, the town containing about one dozen fam- 
ilies when they moved there. Among the number then living in 
the place were some that have since obtained some eminence in 
the councils, of State and ISTatiou; Professor Ilarlau, afterward 
United States Senator and Secretary of the Interior, being one of 
the number. 

In 1849 the elder Epperson moved to the State of Kentucky, 
taking with him his two children, remaining there some two 
years, wdien he returned to Illinois, settling on the southwest 
quarter of section nine, in the township of x^ew Salem, which was 
his home until his removal to Bushnell, which occurred 
in 1868. S. A. accompanied his father both to Kentucky and on 
his return to Illinois, remaining with him and engaging in the la- 
bors of the farm until the year 1858, when the excitement ran 
high about the discovery of gold in Pike's Peak. To this new 
Eldorado he determined to go, and in the fall of that year went as 
far as Henry county, Missouri, w^here he remained during the winter 
following with an uncle living there. In the spring of 1859 he 
drove a herd of cattle to Independence, Missouri, and there he 
hired to take a drove on to Nebraska City, the starting point of 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 351 

the overland journey. Discouraging news from the I'eak caused 
him to abandon the trip, and he joined a train sent out by Majors 
Russell and Waddle, treighting government supplies for the sol- 
diers at Camp Floyd, and drove across the plains, and was gone 
some six months. The firm with which he engaged stipulated in 
the contract with their men that they were not to drink any in- 
toxicating licprors, play cards, or use blasphemous language. This 
was the lirst temperance pledge Air. Epperson ever took, and we 
are pleased to record the fact that he has observed it ever since. 
lie has stated to us that iu the train with which he was connected 
were men of all grades iu society, but yet each lived faithfully to 
his pledge, knowing their wages depended upon its observance. 
Xoffrouble of any kind was experienced on the journey, while 
neighboring trains which allowed the vices prohibited in this to 
be indulged in, rows were of frequent occurrence. This shows 
the good effect of wholesome moral law. 

Success in the mines not equalling anticipation, Mr. Epperson, 
at the expiration of the time previously mentioned, returned to 
the States, and for the year following resided in southwest Mis- 
souri, passing the time in attending school and laboring on a farm. 
In the summer of 1830, he returned home and labored somewhatin 
the campaign resulting in the election of Abraham Lincoln to the 
presidency. In the fall and winter of 1860-61, he read law and 
taught school, and in the spring following again engaged in farm- 
ing, continuing in that pursuit until his enlistment in the war of 
the rebellion, which occured in August following. On the first 
day of that month he enlisted as a private in Company L. 7th Il- 
linois Cavalry, and was mustered into the service as Second Lieu- 
tenant on the third day of September, and on the 12th of Decem- 
ber, Avith the regiment, Co. L left Camp Butler, near Springfield, for 
the front. The regiment went immediately into active ser- 
vice, and none performed duty more faithfully'' that it. While 
stationed at Jacinto, Miss., Lieutenant Epperson was promoted 
Captain of the company, over its First Lieutenant, which position 
he retained until mustered out at expiration of term of service, 
ISFovember 12, 1864. InGrierson"s raid, from LaGrange, Tenn.,to 
Baton Ivouge, La., Co. L, under command of Captain Epperson, rodtT 
eight hundred miles in sixteen days. While stationed at Colliers- 
ville, Tenn., the place was surrounded by the enemy one Sunday 
morning, and Captain Epperson, with some thirty others, was taken • 
prisoner, the men being dismounted at the time, and completely sur- • 



352 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

rounded were captured and taken to Grenada ; here he was held 
as a hostage for a rebel officer under sentence of death by our 
force, which certainly did not add to the pleasure of his captivity. 
But he made up his mind, if possible, he would effect his escape, 
and the opportunity offering, he bid good bye to his captors with- 
out reluctance, and broke for the Union lines. He was ten days 
in the swamps making his way to where the Union troops were 
stationed, suffering much in the journey. It was just thirty days 
from the date of his capture until he returned. For meritorious 
conduct he was breveted Major. 

Receiving a furlough, Captain Epperson returned home, and on 
the third day of May, 18G4, was united by marriage with Miss 
Lodemice Downey. 

On receiving his discharge. Captain Epperson returned home 
and again engaged in farming, but on account of disability re- 
ceived while in the service of his country, was compelled to aban- 
don it. 

Politically Captain Epperson is a staunch Kepublican, the prin- 
ciples of that party being dear to him, but he is independent in 
expressing his opinion in regard to the policy that should govern 
the party in its actions. Twice has he been elected member of 
the Board of Supervisors ot the county, serving his constituents 
in a faithful and upright manner, hi 1867 he received the nomi- 
nation for County Treasurer, against Sydnor H. Hogan, a very 
popular Democrat, and although defeated, he ran largely ahead 
of his ticket. In the last Congressional Convention he was sup- 
ported by the delegates from this county, as their candidate for 
nomination, but local and other inliuences caused his defeat. 

In the spring of 1868, Captain Epperson moved to the city of 
Bushnell, where he yet resides. For two years he read law in the 
office ot M. A.Luce, and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 
1869, shortly afterwards becoming a partner of M. A. Luce, which 
arrangement was continued two years. In 1869 he received the ap- 
pointment of Postmaster, which office ho yet holds. In 1873 he 
abandoned the law, purchasing an interest in the Bushnell Pe- 
cord, and in about one year, had the entire control of the paper. 
This publication he yet continues. Captain Epperson is of medi- 
um height, light complexion, is sociable, and one whose enemies, if 
any, are all on account of political differences. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 353 

JOHN L, EPPERSON. 

John Lowry Epperson, son of James II. and Martha Jane (Os- 
borne) Epperson, was born in Lafayette, Indiana, November 6, 
1834. His parents were both Kentuckians by birth, emigrating 
from that State to Indiana at an early day. When John was but 
a mere lad they again moved, going to the territory of Iowa, 
making their home in Iowa City. Here the mother died, leaving 
two children to the care of the bereaved husband and father. 
Mr. Epperson, taking his son John with him, proceeded to the 
famous lead mines, in Wisconsin, where he remained three years, 
from whence he removed to Table Grove, Fulton county, where 
he only remained a few months, returning to his native State of 
Kentucky, where he remained three years, and then coming to 
this State, settling in the present township of Xew Salem. Mr. 
Epperson has ever since been a citizen of this county, and Fulton 
county, one duly respected by those who are acquainted with him. 

All the educational advantages enjoyed by the subject of our 
present sketch was in the common schools of the then territories 
of Iowa and Wisconsin. Farming has usually been his means of 
employment, though he has engaged to some extent in other busi- 
ness. For seven years he spent his time in teaching in the pub- 
lic schools, six years ©f the time in one school house, which cer- 
tainly speaks well for his talent in that direction. At present he 
is the railroad station agent at Adair, having occupied the posi- 
tion since the completion of the Rockford, Rock leland and St. 
Louis Railroad in 1870. 

In politics Mr. Epperson has always been a Democrat of the 
old Jeftersonian school, but at present affiliates with the Inde- 
pendent party, the views of which upon the financial question 
coincide with his own. For lour years he was Justice of the 
Peace and Supervisor in Farmers' township, Fulton county, and 
for the same length of time held the latter office in Xew Salem 
township, McDonough county. In the latter township he ran 
and was elected on the Democratic ticket, notwithstanding it is 
one of the strongest Republican precincts in the county. In Ful- 
ton county, the first time he ran, he had opposition, but the three 
years following had none, all of which certainly speaks well for 
the personal popularity of the man. As a member of the Board 
of Supervisors he made one of its most efficient members. In 
1876 he was nominated by the Independents for the Legislature 



354 HISTORY OF Ji'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

without his kno^vleclge or consent, and having no idea whatever 
of receiving the intended honor. He made no canvass, having no 
hope of being elected and caring little, but, much to the surprise 
of himself and friends, ran far ahead of his ticket, proving con- 
clusively that he could have been elected had the effort been made. 
Although he has repeatedly been honored by his political asso- 
ciates and friends, he h.as never sought ofhce, and not often was 
present in a convention wliere he received the nomination. The 
ofhce has invariably sought the man and not the man the ofhce. 

During the dark da3's of the rebellion he was arrayed upon the 
side of the Union, and, showing his faith by his works, we find 
him in the summer of 1862 marching to the front, as a member of 
Co. L, 7th Illinois Cavalry. Our readers well know the record 
made by this gallant regiment, and none bore themselves with 
more gallantry than this same Company L, and no man of the 
company endured more hardships or fought more bravely for his 
country than John Lowry Epperson. 

On the eleventh day of December, 1856, he led to the marriage 
altar Miss Sarah C. liine, with whom he yet lives a happy and 
contented life. Six children have they been blessed with, three 
■only of whom remain to add joy and gladness to their parents' 
heart, three having been called "over the river" to dwell in the 
better land. 

Mr. Epperson, among his friends and acquaintances, enjoys the 
reputation of being a kind, sociable and pleasant neighbor. 
Although at present not connected with any religious body, he 
leads a strictly moral life, lending his aid and encouragement to 
all good word and works. It is said of him that he never swore 
an oath, never drank intoxicating liquors, nor yet ever belonged 
to a temperance society. He is a man that thinks much of home, 
and enjoys the comforts and pleasures of a home lite. Taking all 
in all, he is a man well qualilied by nature and education to be a 
representative man in McDonough county, and worthy of a place 
in its history. 

THOMAS FULKERSOX. 

The county of ^IcDonough has given birth to many noble men 
and women, but none more highly honored than the subject of our 
present sketch, Thomas Fulkcrson, who was born in Hillsgrove, 
about three miles from the present town of Tennessee, on the 
twenty-second day of February, 1834. Ilis parents were James 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY 355 

and Elizabeth 11. (Waddell) Fulkersoii, natives of the state of 
Tennessee, where they were married, and from whence they re- 
moved to McDonough county in 1832, settlinf^ upon Sec. 29, 5 X,, 
4 AV., now Tennessee township. At the birth of Thomas they 
were in moderate circumstances, having considerable land, though 
with but little mone3\ 

The early life of Thomas was spent on a farm, working in tlie 
summer and attending school in the winter. For a number of 
years he enjoyed the instructions of Isaac Holtou, who taught a 
High School at the Grove, and whose memory is held in grateful 
remembrance l)y citizens in all the country roundabout. He then 
attended the McDonough College, at Macomb, an institution 
whose history is given elsewhere in this work, and where he re- 
mained two years, acquiring therein a pretty thorough education 
in the sciences. He has always been a great reader and has there- 
fore kept abreast with the times in general knowledge. This fact 
has had much to do with his manner of life. The faculty of be- 
nevolence is well developed in him, and he can seldom say "no" 
to a friend (enemies he has none) when a favor is asked of him ; 
therefore, when a neighbor has a work to perform requiring close 
calculation, he calls upon Thomas Fulkerson ; if a man dies, leav- 
ing an estate to be settled, Thomas Fulkerson can attend to that; 
if a piece of work is required to be done in the neighborhood, 
necessitating a considerable outlay of time, with very little remu- 
neration, Thomas Fulkerson can do it; and thus it goes. Duties 
devolve upon him that no one else can or will attend to. 

Like his father before him, he is a farmer, but probably more 
from circumstances than choice. As his father grew old, the 
labors and responsibilities of the farm began to devolve upon 
Thomas, and when the senior Fulkerson died, he left to him the 
old homestead, on which he still continues to reside, his aged 
mother and sister residing with him. 

ISTo other place daring the forty-three years of his life was lie 
ever called home, and doubtless upon the old place he will re- 
main until called to occupy a mansion in that other world, which 
is prepared for the true and faithful in this. 

When but an infant, the waters of baptism was placed upon 
his brow by Rev. Peter Cartwright, of blessed memory. 

This old disciple was in attendance at a camp meeting in a 
grove in the vicinity of his parent's residence, when they present- 
ed him for baptism. When but sixteen years of age he was ..•,- 



356 HISTORY OF M'DOXOUrill COUNTY. 

ceived into full fellowship in the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
with which body he yet retains his membership. He has always 
been active in the Lord's cause, makiiisr a diligent use ot the tal- 
ents committed to him. In 1859 he was elected Recording Stew- 
ard, of the Colchester circuit, which office he has ever since held, 
and during the entire time has never missed but one quarterly 
meeting. Few officers, we opine, can show as good a record. In 
the Sabbath School work he has always labored with zeal, begot- 
ten of knowledge. From a youth up he has been a constant at- 
tendant upon the Sabbath School, and whether as a scholar, a 
teacher or superintendent, he has ever attended faithfully to his 
duties. At present heisthe efficient teacher of the Bible class in 
the Hillsgrove Sunday School. 

Like hundreds of others raised in this count}", Mr. Fulkerson 
passed through many trials. In the early day the lirst duty de- 
volving upon the young boy was to go to mill. lie was first taught 
the way, and when even too young, or with insufficient strength to 
hold the sack of grain upon the horse, it was tied on, and he then 
placed upon the horse's back, was sent on his way. This duty 
was given the youngest, for the reason they were often compelled 
to wait many hours to have their grain ground, the capacity of the 
mills being; so small the millers would make a rule " first come, 
first served." The time of the older ones upon a farm was thus 
saved, and their labor obtained. The destructive prairie fires in 
the spring were such as to create apprehension in the minds of all, 
and among the earliest recollections of him of whom we write was 
of fighting fire to prevent its approach to their cabin and grain. 

The moral training received by Thomas Fulkerson was excel- 
lent in the extreme. His father being a consistent and zealous 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and having a deep 
reverence for the word of God, inculcated in the young mind of 
his son the fact that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of 
wisdom," and also that excellent motto "honesty is the best pol- 
icy." The instruction received in youth, and its application to his 
daily life, he has ever since retained. JSTow, while in the prime of 
life, we find him honored by all who know him, his word at all 
times being considered as good as his bond, and it being the uni- 
versal verdict of his neighbors that no more honest man exists 
than Thomas Fulkerson. Everybody respects the man for his 
sterling worth. For some years he has administered more estates 
than any man in the western portion of the county, if not in its 



IIISTOKY OF m'dONOUGH t'OUNTV. 357 

whole length and breadth. In his hands it is well known that 
every penny will be accounted for and )io one will ever be wronged 
out of a cent. 

As a politician Mr. Fulkerson makes no pretensions, but, like 
the true man that he is, has his views and is not afraid to main- 
tain them. His political views coincide with those of the Repub- 
licans, and the principles of that party have ever been dear to 
him. During the war, while he did not enter the field, he exer- 
cised a wholesome influence at home, and no more loyal man 
could be found than he. 

When the "GraLge" movement was organized he went into the 
movement, and in the Grange with which he is connected is an 
active worker and has been its secretary during the entire period 
of its existence. He is also the purchasing agent of that body, 
and during the past year has transacted a business amounting to 
a total sum of $30,000. Few mercantile houses in the county 
transact a larger volume of trade. Having the confidence of the 
entire community the people are not afraid to trust him with their 
orders. 

JOHN D. MAINLINE. 

Few men are better known in Emmet township than the sub- 
ject of our sketch — John Hunford Hainline, who for a period of 
thirty-eight years has made his home on section six. His parents 
were George and Flora (Cockerel) Hainline, the former a Ken- 
tuckian by birth, being born in Fayette county of that State, 
while the latter was a Tennessean, but raised in the same county 
in Kentucky as her husband. John D,, their son, was born in 
Montgomery county, Kentucky, on the seventh day of Septem- 
ber, 1817. His mother for years made all the clothing used by 
the entire family, while his father endeavored in his way to pro- 
vide for their wants in tilling the soil. The implements that he 
used for this purpose would make the 3'oung farmer of this coun- 
try stare in wonder and amazement. Just think of using a plow 
made entirely of wood, dr^^wni by a horse wearing a collar made 
of bark, stuffed with husks of corn ! But such was the way the 
work was performed, and yet all managed to live. John was a 
great lover of amusements, and w^ould go to as great leiigth to 
gratify his desires in this line as any in the land. Coon and pos- 
sum hunting were among the chief means of diversion, occasion- 
ally varied by visiting the pretty girls of the neighborhood. The 
11—23 



358 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

only educational advantages he received were in attending a school 
two months each winter for about seven years, in an old log school 
house, where, on an old slab seat, he was compelled to sit from 
morning until night. For a window a log was removed, and 
greased paper was placed over the hole made by its removal. The 
branches taught in this school Avere "reading, 'riting and 'rithnia- 
tic." Xot a grammar or geography was ever seen it in. Not- 
withstanding the love of fun which predominated in young 
Ilainlinc, he was in youth quite steady, the result of the training 
received from his parents, who were quite strict in their govern- 
ment. 

In 1836, when but twenty years of age he led to the hymenial 
altar Miss Margaret Ann Douthit, and two years thereafter em- 
igrated to McDonough county, settling in Emmet township. By 
her he had eleven children, eight of whom 3'et live, one son George 
L. being killed at Bentonville, N. C, during the late war. This son 
was a member of the 16th regiment and was among the first to 
enlist in the defense of his country. James Lewis llainline, a 
nephew, but who was raised by Mr. H, enlisted at the same time, 
was wounded at Bentonville, and died in Missouri some time in 
1866. Mrs. llainline died Xov. 3, 1869. About one year after, 
Mr. llainline was again married, this time to Miss Amanda J. 
Purdy, with whom he yet lives. 

One hundred acres of the farm of Mr. llainline, was purchased 
by him on his arrival in the county for the sum of S700. The 
land was improved, and the price paid was considered ^very 
high at that time. Other land adjoining w^as afterwards pur- 
chased for ten dollars per acre. The farm is now one of the most 
valuable in Emmet township. In his day Mr. llainline has been 
a very stout and robust man, and has never, during his entire life, 
been confined to his bed by sickness but two weeks. The cares of 
the world never seem to trouble him in the least; he never worries 
or complains. Having, by his own industry, laid up for himself a 
sufficient amount of worldly goods to enable him to live comfort- 
ably, he passes along through life in a contented manner. On his 
land are found veins of excellent coal, which have but recently 
been discovered, and from which, during the past year (1876), 
about 15,000 bushels of coal were taken. This being the only coal 
mine in that section of country, will eventually make the land 
very valuable. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 359 

111 politics Mr. llainline was originally an old line AVhig, but 
when the old party disbanded he affiliated for a time with the 
American party. In 1858, when Lincoln made his celebrated cam- 
paign with Douglas for the Senate, a campaign of national import- 
ance, he voted the Republican ticket, and ever since has been an 
earnest supporter of its men and measures. On the accession of 
Lincoln to the Presidency in 1861, when war w^as proclaimed, his 
whole influence was exerted in the cause of freedom and union, 
and two of his sons (all that were old enough) he sent forth to bat- 
tle for their country, one of whom, as previously stated, laid down 
his life in its defense, the other returning at the close ot the war 
to receive honors from his fellow-citizens. He is one of the edi- 
tors of the well known Macomb Journal. 

Mr. llainline has never made a profession of religion, but has 
endeavored to live a strictly moral life, although we believe no 
man would resent an insult quicker than he. In his neighbor- 
hood, and among those with whom he is acquainted, he is highly 
respected. 

W. H. HAINLINE. 

Wm. II. llainline was born in Emmet township, McDonough 
county, July 29, 1841, and has been a continuous resident of the 
county from that date, and therefore may be classed as an old 
settler. His parents were John D. and Margaret A. llainline, who 
immigrated from the State of Kentucky at an early day,the father 
yet residing upon the old homestead in Emmet township. The 
subject of this sketch spent his childhood and youth upon the 
farm, his life being varied by work in the summer and attendance 
upon the district school in the winter. "With the exception of 
three months his entire schooling was received in one district. 
Until eighteen years of age he continued to work for his father. 
At that time the country was excited by the discovery of gold in 
Pike's Peak, when he persuaded his father to let him seek his for- 
tune in that new Eldorado. Going to the Peak, he labored about 
three weeks in the mines, when not being satisfied with the pros- 
pects, he returned home, thoroughly cured of the "gold fever," 
and willing enough to take his place behind tlie plow, and turn 
gold out of the black soil of Illinois. In farm work he continued 
until the boom of the cannon was heard reverberating from Fort 
Sumpter, when, hastening to Macomb, on the nineteenth day of 
April, 1861, he enlisted in Capt. Palston's company of "Union 



360 HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGH COUNTY. 

(luards,"' under the first call of the President for 75,000 men, but on 
account of the luck ot transportation the company could not leave 
Macomb in time, and therefore failed to be numbered with the 
first quota. A call of the State had in the meantime been made 
for ten regiments, and this company was sworn in for thirty days, 
and afterward, on the twenty-fourth day of May, 1861, mustered 
into the United States service for three years, or during the war, 
becoming Co. A, 16th Regiment Illinois A^olunteers. "During 
the war" was taken literally by Mr. Ilainlinc, and five months be- 
fore the expiration of his three years' service, he re-enlisted as a 
veteran, and continued with his regiment until the proclamation 
of peace was issued and the regiment mustered out on the 
eighth day of July, 1865. In every campaign in which the regi- 
ment participated he bore his part, and in the battle of Peach 
Tree Creek, in front of Atlanta, on the twentieth of July, 1864, he 
was taken prisoner by the rebels, and five days thereafter was 
placed in the dread prison pen of Andersonville. For tw^o months 
he was confined at that place, where the prisoners were dying at 
the rate of one hundred each day, dying of starvation and expos- 
ure, the rebels refusing to take any measures to better their con- 
dition. The horrors of that prison will ever be impressed upon 
his mind, and it is therefore little to be wondered that he scarcely 
forgives the authors of that misery. 

On returning home, Mr. Hainline, the following fall, received 
from his party the nomination for the office of County Treasurer, 
and, notwithstanding the objection raised against him on account 
of his youth, and that he ran against the most popular man in the 
ranks of the opposition, he was triumphantly elected. The 
amount of his bond was $650,000, owing to the heavy bounty 
tax, but had been $2,000,000 it would have been given. In the 
discharge of his duties he gave perfect satisfaction to men of all 
parties, and in the two years of his service he handled more 
money than any Treasurer in the county has ever done in the same 
length of time. 

Shortly after the expiration of his term of office he purchased 
an interest in the drug store of P. II. Delaney, continuing in that 
business until the fall of 1869. 

On the twelfth day of June, 1866, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Victoria Shleich, of Fulton county. Three children 
were the result of this union, one of whom died in infancy. Mrs. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 361 

Hainline departed this life February 24, 1874, ber loss deeply felt 
not only by the sorrowing husband and motherless children, but 
by raauy frieads. She was a woman of many excellent qualities 
of head and heart, and would attract friends wherever her lot was 
cast. In the sweet bye-and by she rests from her labors, while her 
works do follow her. 

It is needless to say that in politics Mr. Hainline is a Republican 
"of the strictest sect." It can well be said of him that the prin- 
ciples of that party are "bred in the bone," his parents and all 
bearing the name being of the same political persuasion. In June, 
1870, he purchased a half interest in the Macomb Journal, the 
leading paper of the city, and became associate editor. As a 
local writer he ranks among the best in the State, and in the ad- 
vocacy of his political views he never fails to make himself un- 
derstood, and always takes advance ground upon all questions of 
the day. 

In addition to the ofHce of County Treasurer, Mr. Hainline has 
held the office of Alderman of the First Ward, Macomb, for two 
years, and represented the city as a member of the Board of Su- 
pervisors for three years. In the discharge of all his official 
duties he labors faithfully to advance the best interests of his con- 
stituents, being alive to all questions of public good. While he 
would practice strict economy in the management of public affairs, 
he would not be niggardly in expenditures, knowing that it is 
possible for public servants, as well as private individuals, to be 
"penny wise and pound foolish." 

William II. Hainline is rather below medium height, quick in 
motion, and is generally in the enjoyment of reasonably good 
health. As a citizen he enjoys the respect and esteem of every 
one, and as a friend and neighbor he is kind and benevolent, with 
a heart open to hear the cries of the afflicted of earth. That he 
is public spirited is proven by his acts and votes upon questions 
that pertain to the general good of all. 

WILLIAM HAMILTON. 

Among the living pioneers of McDonough, few are more wide- 
ly known than the one of whom w6 now write. AVilliam Hamil- 
ton was born in Rock bridge county, Virginia, seven miles from 
the great Natural Bridge, in May, 1813. At his birth his father 
was in comfortable circumstances, but shortly after lost all, when 
he removed to Conncrsville, Indiana, where he engaged in farm- 



362 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

ing, and where William was compelled to labor as early in life as 
lie could be of assistance. A few months attendance in the com- 
mon schools in his native county, before removing to Indiana, was 
all the educational advantages enjoyed by him, until after he 
reached his majority, when he attended a country school for about 
three months; therefore the success attending him in after life was 
not due to any knowledge acquired from books, but from contin- 
ual application to business and natural common sense. 

When sixteen years of age, Mr. H. commenced to learn the 
trade of blacksmith, which he followed some eighteen months, 
when iinding it did not agree with him, he went on a farm, which 
business he afterwards followed until his retirement a few years 
ago. It was not until he was twenty-two years of age that he 
was enabled to save anything from his labor. In the year 183;'), 
he hired oat at $12 per month, and in due time saved |100, which 
afterwards served as a basis for the accumulation of years. With 
this sum of money, a horse and saddle, he came to Macomb, in 
this county, arriving here on the sixteenth day of April, 1836 
He at onced hired to Abner AYaiker, for §12 per month and board, 
continuing with him for some time, and in February, 1836, pur- 
chased the first piece of land he ever owned being the south west 
quarter, section 2, 6 north, 2 west, where he so long made his 
home. 

On the twenty-ninth day of October, 1830, he was united in 
marriage to Miss Lucy Cannon, near Macomb, in whose society 
he has since spent thirty-eight years of his life. Six children has 
the Lord given them, five yet living, who occupy useful positions 
in society. 

j\Ir. Hamilton has never held public office save that of school 
director and road commissioner. Often has he been requested to 
serve, but always refused. He cares nothing for the honors ob- 
tained, and is content to fill an humble position in life. He has 
always been a hard working man, and whatever of this world's 
goods he possesses has been made by his own industry and the 
practice of strict economy. When he first began life in this 
county, the people were suffering the efft^cts of the hard times 
following the panic of 1837, and for years it was almost an impos- 
ibility to obtain sufficient money even to pay taxes. He informs 
us that many times lias he harnessed his team before daylight, 
and driving to Macomb, a distance of nine miles, proceeded to 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 363 

AVigwam" branch, some two or three miles west of town, hauling 
in three loads of wood and returning home, all for '^1.50. He has 
killed his hogs, taken them to Nauvoo, spending three or four 
days on the journey, and sold them tor ^1.50 per hundred pounds. 

Notwithstanding the ditiiculties with which he had to con- 
tend, he labored on, determined to succeed. One quality about 
him is worthy of imitation by our young men — he never contract- 
ed a debt without knowing how and when it should be paid, and 
never in all his life has he been unable to meet the demands 
against him. For a number of years past he has made his motto, 
"Pay as you go," and has contracted no debts ot any kind, or for 
any purpose. In 1864 he rented out his farm and removed to 
IBushnell where he has since continued to reside. During the 
first year of his stay in Bushnell he engaged in the grocery busi- 
ness,believing that in his early life he had done enough hard work 
to entitle him to have a little leisure as he passes along the latter 
part of the journey ot life. 

In 1838 he united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church 
in Walnut Grove, retaining his connection with that bod}' until his 
removal to Bushnell, when he received a letter, but has never 
united with another congregation. 

HON. B. R. IIAMPTOX. 

Benjamin P. Hampton was born in AVarren county, Ohio, on 
the twelfth day of April, 1821. His parents were Van C. and 
Elizabeth (Pandolph) Hampton, the former being a native of New 
Jersey and the latter of Ohio. The elder Hampton was well 
known throughout McDonough county, having established and 
for many years running the first woolen factory in the town of 
Macomb, if not in the county. The early life of young Hampton 
was spent in the country, and as soon as he arrived at an age in 
which he was capable of doing work, he was placed in his father's 
woolen factory. At this trade he labored for some years, or until 
his removal to McDonough county, in 1840. In the public schools 
of Miami county, Ohio, where his parents removed when he was 
but a mere lad, he laid the foundation of a good practical educa- 
tion. 

Soon after his arrival in Macomb he entered the office of Hon. 
Cyrus Walker, one of the loading attorneys of the State, where he 
read law for some two years, when he passed examination and 



364 HISTORY OF m'donougii county. 

was admitted to the bar. lu this profession he continued seven- 
teen years, with some success, attaining a good reputation as a 
legal adviser. 

On the second day of April, 1845, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Angeline E. Hail, daughter of D. Hail, Esq., Franklin, 
Kentucky. Six children have been born unto them, three of whom- 
are living. 

Mr. Hampton has always taken considerable interest in the 
political affairs of the country, his first general experience being in 
the campaign of 1840, when Gen. Harrison was elected President 
of .the United States. He espoused the principles of the old 
Whig party, and fought manfully for its success until it ceased to 
exist, when he was one of the very first in this county to give 
adhesion to the Republican party, with which he has since been 
connected. In weakness or in strength, through evil or good 
reports, he has labored earnestly and zealously for the welfare of 
that party. In the fall of 1855 he became editor of the old Ma- 
coiYib Enterprise, and in the summer of 1856, when John C. 
Fremont received the nomination for I*resident (the first candi- 
date of the llcpublican party for that office), he placed his name 
at the head of its columns ; and with great zeal advocated his 
election. AVithont detracting in the least from others, we can 
say that no man has done more or made greater sacrifices for the 
success of the party. For some years he published the paper at 
a loss, being compelled to draw from other resources means to 
keep it alive. At this time the party was greatly in the minority, 
but with faith that it would eventually succeed, be labored on, 
witnessing its final triumph. He has on several occasions served 
in public office, as Trustee of the town of Macomb, Justice of the 
Peace, Supervisor and State Senator. He was a member of the 
Board of Supervisors during the dark days of the rebellion, and 
labored without avail to secure assistance from the Board for the 
brave boys in blue and their suttering families left behind. For 
this act he deserves great credit from that class who imperilled 
their lives for the nation's safety. As a member of the State Sen- 
ate he served four years, discharging his duties faithfully and to 
the satisfaction of his constituents. 

While in tlie Senate he was chairman of the committee which 
prepared the ])resent liquor law of the State. During the second 
term he was chairman of the Kepublican caucus and chairman of 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 365 

the committees on Expenses of the General Assembly and Miscel- 
lany. He was also a member ot the committees on Revision, Re- 
formatory Institutions, Judicial Department, Apportionment, 
Printing, Fees and Salaries, and Appropriations. He prepared 
and introduced the bill by which the Revised Statutes of the 
State were given to the people at a cost of only two dollars. 

With the exception of a period between 1860-G5 up to the year 
1870, he had entire editorial control of the Macomb Journal. 
During the latter year W. II. Ilainline became associated with 
him. It now ranks with the best papers in the State and with a 
circulation equal to any country paper published. 

Shortly after the organization of the Christian Church in Ma- 
comb Mr. Hampton united and has since held connection with 
that body. In all the affairs of the congregation he has taken 
great interest, and contributes liberally of his means to advance 
the cause. As a friend and neighbor he is kind and benevolent, 
always willing to aid a worthy person in every way in his power. 
Aside from politics he is held in high esteem by every one, his 
only enemies being those of a political nature. As a citizen he 
is public spirited and advocates publicly and privately everything 
having a tendency to advance the interests of his adopted county 
and State. 

RICHARD D. HAMMOND, M. D. 

Among the prominent and successful physicians of this county 
none are better known and enjoy more of the respect of the peo- 
ple and the profession than Dr. R. D. Hammond, the son of Asa 
and Sarah A. (A¥ilson) Hammond, who was born in Claiborne, 
Monroe county, Alabama, on the twenty-fourth day of July, 1826. 
The father of Dr. Hammond was a native of Massachusetts, while 
the native state of his mother was North Carolina. The elder 
Hammond was an attorney of considerable note in his adopted 
State of Alabama, enjoying a very large and lucrative practice 
extending throughout its length and breadth. 

The early life of Dr. Hammond was such as is common to every 
boy in the land, and was passed in his native village and in at- 
tendance upon the common schools of his native town. In 1840, 
his father took him to Ohio, and in the following year, when but 
fifteen years of age, he was entered as a student in the Marietta 
College, Marietta, Ohio, from whence he graduated when nineteen, 
receiving the degree of A. B. 



S66 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Aftei' graduafiug lie came to Illi-nois and located in Monmouth, 
the county seat of AVarren county, and some two years after en- 
tered the office of Dr. Young, one of the best physicians of the 
place, with whom he read medicine until the time arrived when 
he should attend lectures. Choosing the Medical Department of 
the University of Missouri, he entered the same, graduating with 
honors in 1852. Returning home, he opened an office in the old 
village of Greeubush, Warren county, where he remained one 
year, obtaining a fair practice and much valuable experience. In 
1853 he removed to Blandinsville, McDonough county, which 
place he made his home until Xovember, 1862, when he removed to 
Macomb. In and around about Blandinsville he built up a large 
and lucrative practice, and made man}' warm and staunch friends, 
friends that felt grieved at his departure, and who were ready to 
extend a welcome on his return. In Macomb he also met with 
good success in his chosen profession, and for several years his 
practice was equal, if not greater, than any physician in the county. 
Failing health caused him to abandon his business for a short 
time, and in company with Charles Chandler, Esq., of Macomb, 
he s[)ent a few months in traveling, principally in the S©uth. On 
returning home, he was urged by many of his old patrons in 
Blandinsville and its vicinity to return to that jilace and resume 
his practice. This he consented to do, and, Ma}^, 1875, be again 
resumed his practice in that place. It required but a short time 
to regain the large practice previously enjoyed while a citizen of 
the town, and but for an unfortunate and serious accident, would 
have exerted him to the utmost to attend to calls. On the 
thirtieth day of April, 1876, he was thrown from his horse, receiv- 
ing injuries of the spine, which prevented him from attending to 
his duties a great part of his time. The doctor is now making a 
specialty of the treatment of diseases by electricity, meeting with 
uniformly good success. 

On the twenty-fourth day of December, 1854, he was united in 
marriage to Miss Louisa Bolles, by whom he has had nine chil- 
dren, seven girls and two boys, all of whom are now living, save 
the oldest daughter, who passed to her long home in the fall of 
1874, where she awaits the coming of other loved ones, who, upon 
this side the river, toil on, until in the grand reunion in the "sweet 
by-and-bye." 

Dr. Hammond is a man rather below the medium height, light 
hair, full, llowing beard, high forehead, and of a kind and benev- 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 367 

olcnt disposition. For a number of years lie has been connected 
with the Congregational Church at Macomb, with which body he 
yet hokls membership, there being no church of that denomina- 
tion in Blandinsville. Every one regards him with respect as a 
man, and in the community in which he resides he wields consid- 
erable iiilluence. 

DR. JOHN HARDESTY. 

Few men that have lived in our county were more widely 
known or more universally esteemed than the subject of this 
sketch. John Hardesty was of Irish descent, his grandfather on 
his father's side immigrating to this country prior to the revolu- 
tionary war. His father, Charles Hardesty, was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary war and likewise in the war of 1812, and bore an 
honorable part in each of these great struggles. The patriotic 
principles of the father were imbibed by the son, and have de- 
scended to the present generation. 

John Hardesty was born in Virginia May 13, 1793. His moth- 
er's maiden name was Nancy Fowler, her family being one of the 
oldest in this State and having a number of representatives now 
living in this county. During the earl}^ life of John he lived and 
worked with his parents on a farm and in the common or sub- 
scription schools of his time laid the foundation of an education 
secured in after years by self-application. 

When war with Great Britain was proclaimed in 1812, the 
patriotic feeling inherited from his sire caused him to enroll his 
name among his country's defenders, and, although young in 
years, he went forth, and during the entire campaign bore himself 
as become a hero and the son of one who, when the nation sought 
its independence, was ready to do and to die for the accomplish- 
ment of that end. 

In May, 1811, Mr. Hardesty was united in marriage with jSliss 
Elizabeth Ilungate, daughter of Col. John Ilungate, of Ken- 
tucky, by whom he had nine sons and three daughters, five of the 
sons and two of the daughters yet living, and filling honorable 
positions in society. 

In 1818 Mr. Hardesty, with his family, left his Kentucky home 
for Illinois, and for six years- resided in Hamilton county, re- 
moving from thence to Adams county, where he remained four 
3"ears, when he came to McDonough county, arriving here on the 



368 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

third day of April, 1830, and securing for a home the southwest 
quarter section 9, 7 north and 4 west, now Blandinsville town- 
ship, in tlie neighborhood of the well-known "Job's settlement." 
AVith the exception of some tliree years spent in jMissouri, he 
lived in this neighborhood until death called him away. 

Mr. llardesty came to this county before it was organized, and 
at the first election was one of three elected to fill the office of 
County Commissioner, to Avhich office he was several times re- 
elected. In the work ot organization he showed good executive 
abilities, and much credit is due him for the good work performed 
in placing McDonough in the front rank of the counties of the 
State. As one of the County Commissioners, he assisted in laying 
off the town of Macomb. 

"While a citizen of Missouri, Mr. Hardesty studied medicine 
with Dr. Johnson, of Savannah, in that State, and during his res- 
idence there built up a large practice. On returning to McDon- 
ough county he continued to practice for some years. In this 
field of usefulness he achieved some success, bringing to bear 
upon the discharge of the duties of his profession rare common 
sense in the discernment of disease. 

Dr. Hardesty was a heavy built man, full six feet in height, fair 
complexion, and of a generous disposition. As a friend and neigh- 
bor he was greatly esteemed, his willingness to accomodate being 
proverbial. In the family circle, he was very strict, his word at 
all times, being law, but his government was inspired by the law 
of love, which in time begot love for himself in the hearts of his 
children, and his memory is now held dear by every member of 
the family remaining. 

Dr. Hardesty was for many years a consistent member of the 
Baptist Church, and in it held the office of deacon. His Christ- 
ian duties he never neglected, and in the support of the gospel 
was ever ready to do his part. The two great commandments of 
love to God and love to man he held sacred, endeavoring to dis- 
charge the obligations resting upon him arising from each. 

Dr. Hardesty was called to his long home on the third day of 
September, 1875, and was buried near Hillsborough Church, of 
which body he had long been a meml)er. Elder J. H. Delano, of 
Blandinsville, delivered the funeral sermon, and his body was laid 
away to await the summons on the resurrection morn. He died 
as he had lived, in the full assurance of hope, at the ripe age of 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 369 

eighty-two years. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, 
yea and from henceforth they shall rest from their labors and 
their works do follow them." Dr. llardesty was buried by the 
members of the Masonic order in this county, having been a 
member of that order since 1812, a period of sixty-three years. 
May he rest in peace, and may we emulate his good deeds. 

AVILLIAM C. IIAINLINE. 

There are many persons bearing the^'name of Ilainline in this 
county, all universally respected and none more so than the sub- 
ject of this sketch. Mr. Ilainline came to this county in 1838 in 
company with his parents, George and Flora (Cockrell) Ilainline. 
The elder Ilainline was well known as a man of strong character, 
a zealous member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and 
strict in the observance of such duties as he regarded right and 
proper. He was born in Clark county, Kentuck}^, on the fourth 
of June, 1791. His father, the grandfather of William, was one 
of the pioneers of that State, having emigrated thereto w^ith 
Daniel Boone. Mrs. Hainliue comes of a family somewhat noted 
in the affairs of that State and in Missouri. Senator Cockrell of 
the latter State being a relative. Mr. and Mrs. Ilainline were 
united in marriage in 1812, the latter being at the time only six- 
teen years of age. Eleven children were born unto them, seven 
boys and four girls, all of whom lived to have families of their 
own, and all immigrating with their parents to this State and 
county. Four have since died. Mr. Ilainline departed this life 
in March, 1868, and was followed in October, 1870, by his loved 
companion. Both died as they had lived, in the full assurance of 
hope of a glorious life beyond the grave. 

"William C. Ilainline was born in Montgomery county, Ken- 
tucky, on the thirtieth day of May, 1823. His early life was 
passed upon the farm in his native State and in this county, 
where he arrived on the twenty-eighth day of October, 1838, and 
settled with his parents on section 6, Emmett township. It may 
be well to remark that the elder Ilainline, the father of AVilliam, 
while still a resident of Kentucky, was in good circumstances 
financially, and would have never left his native State, had it not 
been for the curse of slavery. He was a strong anti-slavery man, 
and we believe there are none of his descendants but what viewed 
the question in the same light that he did. William remained at 
home with his parents some ten years after his arrival in Mc- 



370 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

Donough county, when lie purchased for himself a farm ou section 
15, Hire townslnp, -where he removed, and where he has since 
continued to reside, i^'or this farm he paid three dollars per acre. 
It is now worth ^GO per acre, and is one of the best in the county, 
but when he moved upon it, it was wild prairie land and at some 
distance from the dwelling of any one. Fears were entertained 
b}' his friends that he would cut himsell off from all social influ- 
ence, and would never have any neighbors. 

Without a dollar's nid from any one, he has by his own indus- 
try and good management acquired considerable property, and is 
to-day the possessor of live hundred acres of as fine land as we 
have in the county. jMr. 11. has followed no other business than 
that of farming, having a taste for that alone. His health has 
always been remarkably good, and for forty-four consecutive years 
he has labored in the harvest field, beginning that work when only 
ten years of age. He has never had to keep his bed twenty-four 
hours at one time in his life from sickness that he can remember. 
Such good health is unusual. 

In 1849 Mr. Hainline was married to Miss Elizabeth Logan, 
daughter of the well known pioneer Baptist preacher. Elder John 
Logan. She was the second white female child born in the 
county. Ten children have been born unto them, and all living, 
save two. Each of their children were born in the house in which 
they now reside. The oldest son is a ph3'sician, wdio now lives in 
Missouri. 

During the days of the old Whig party Mr. Hainline was a 
strong supporter of its men and measures, but since the organiza- 
tion of the Ilepublican party, he has been one of its most earnest 
and zealous advocates. The strong anti-slavery views of his 
father found a response in his breast, and the principles of that 
party were such as to command his sympathy and support. Al- 
though he takes no very active part in the work of the party, yet 
no man in the county feels a greater interest in its success. The 
annual elections always find himatthe polls, and itis his boast that 
he has never scratched a ticket. He has never held ofRce of any 
kind, nor has ever desired one. 

For thirty years he has resided in the same neighborhood, and 
in that time has never had a quarrel, a law suit or trouble of any 
kind with any one. He attends strictl}' to his own affairs and al- 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 371 

lows others the same privilege. No one possesses a kinder heart 
and none are more accommodating; he is always willing and 
ready to render a favor, even at a sacrifice to himself. 

AVilliam 0. JIainline is in height about five feet ten inches, and 
weighs about one hundred ahd seventy pounds; his complexion is 
rather dark than otherwise. 

AVESLEY HARLAX. 

In the fall of 1834 Wesley Harlan left Kentucky, his native 
State, and with his family settled in SclinA'ler county, this State, 
where he remained some eighteen months, Avhen, desiring a bet- 
ter location, he came to McDonough county and upon section one. 
Industry township, erected his cabin, improved his quarter and 
reared a large and influential family. At that time this portion 
of the county was thinly settled, and Mr. Harlan, contrary to 
the advice of friends, settled upou the prairie about one mile 
from the timber. By this action he was supposed to be deranged 
in mind, tor without timber how could one live, what would he 
do for fencing, fuel, etc. ? This questiou Mr. Harlan proposed 
should be answered in the future and we now know he was riofht 
in his calculations. 

Wesley Harlan was born in Barren countj-, Kentucky, Februa- 
ry 3, 1805. His parents were Jacob and Sarah (Combs) Harlan, na- 
tives of the State of Virginia, who had emigrated to Kentucky at 
an early day. The early life ot Mr. Harlan was without any partic- 
ular incident, and in the way of education, the common schools af- 
forded all the knowledge received by him. In his youth he developed 
a taste for mechanical labor and in manhood this taste was exer- 
cised to a considerable degree. Though never being apprenticed, 
or taking a regular course to learn any trade, he acquired a knowl- 
edge of many by self-application. As will be readily understood by 
our older readers, the service of such a man in a newly settled 
country would be greatly in demand, and often has Mr. II. been 
required to leave his own work that he might assist a neighbor 
out of a difficulty, in which skill was required. AMiether in build- 
ing or repairing a wagon, erecting a cabin, or making a plow, he 
could turn his hand to either with equal facility. Shortly after 
his arrival in the county he erected a horse mill near his residence, 
which was extensively patronized by farmers thonghout AIc])on- 
ough and adjoining counties. At that time there were no steam 
mills in the countrv, and when the streams were low, Avater mills 



372 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

would occasionally quit running, causing the horse mills to have 
quite an extensive run of custom. All persons having grain to 
grind were compelled to furnish their own horses to run the mill, 
each await his turn to be served. Although the mill had a good 
run, yet its receipts were not large, on an average not over titty 
cents a day. 

On the second day of November, 1826, Mr. Harlan was mar- 
ried to Miss jSTancy Greenup in Monroe county, Iventuck}^, ten 
children resulting from the union — five sons and five daughters, all 
of whom are now living, save James W., who died in the service 
of his country during the late rebellion as a member of the 10th 
Missouri regiment. 

The members of the family now living are George T., who re- 
sides on the south half of section 31, iSTew Salem township, and 
of whom mention is made elsewhere in these sketches, Wm. M., 
Marcus L., Lorenzo 1)., Margaret, wife of S. F. Hammer, who 
owns and resides upon the old homestead; Rebecca, wife of Eliliu 
Stockton of Eldorado township; Hulda, wife of Daniel Wooley, 
of Crawford county, Kansas; Eliza, wife of Samuel Kyle of Kan- 
sas, and Chloe, wife of Frank Hall, Mound township. Mrs. Har- 
lan died on the twenty-fourth of March, 1864, and on the fourth 
of December, 1867, Mr. Harlan was again married, this time to 
Mary Osborne, with whom he happily lived until parted by 
death. She resides with her step-daughter, Mrs. Hall. 

Wesley Harlan for over forty years was a consistent member ot 
the M. E. Church, and in the Master's work had great delight, 
especially in singing the songs of praise. He for many years con- 
ducted the musical part of the exercises of the Lord's house in his 
own congregation. In his death the church lost a valuable mem- 
ber and an efficient worker. 

Ii? politics Mr. Harlan was originally a Whig, and on the or- 
ganization of thejiepublican party gave adhesion to its principles, 
notwithstanding he was from a slave state and the principles of 
that party antagonistic to all his previous teachings. He was 
very lirm in his views, and did not fear to express his sentiments 
upon all occasions. Wesley Harlan was fully six feet in height, 
slender built and of a robust constitution. He was naturally very 
spry and always walked with a quick motion. In the govern- 
ment of his family he was mild, but always exacted obedience. 
As a friend and neighbor, he was kind and obliging. His death 
occurred on the seventeenth day of January', 1874. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 373 



GEORGE TAYLOR HARLAN. 



In the sketches of leading citizens of ourcounty, \vc give prom- 
inent hi\Yyers, prominent merchants, prominent mechanics, and 
prominent farmers, and in this latter class may well be placed he 
one of whom we now write, who, though not born in the county, has 
spent almost his entire life here, and is well known to all our older 
citizens. His father, "Wesley Harlan, was also well known to 
every one throughout the whole county, and in the early day the 
old horse mill, owned by him, received patronage from all parts 
of this and adjoining counties. His mother was l!Tancy (Greenup) 
Harlan, a sister of "Uncle Johnny Greenup," another of the old 
pioneers, and one well known to every citizen of the county. His 
parents were married in Kentucky, from whence they came to 
Schuyler county, in this State, where they remained a short time, 
coming from that county to McDonough in the fall of 1834, set- 
tling on section 1, Industry township, where they remained until 
the day of their death. 

George Ta^'lor Harlan was born in Monroe count}', Kentucky, on 
the twenty-ninth day of December, 1827, and when only seven years 
of age was brought to this county, where his entire life has since 
been spent. When old enough to attend to the duties, he was 
put in charge of the old horse mill, previously spoken of, and for 
years waited upon the customers, measuring out the toll received 
in payment for grinding. This old mill was a noted institution in its 
day, and when the water in the streams was low, and grinding 
could not be done by the mills situated thereon, it was taxed to 
its utmost capacity, and day and night was kept busy. 

In youth George was a quiet, steady lad, always standing well 
with his neighbors. As the opportunity offered, he attended the 
common schools of the neighborhood, obtaining therein a fair 
English education. 

On the twenty-fifth day of December, 1856, he was united in 
marriage to Miss Talitha C. Yocum, daughter of the old pioneer 
and well-known citizen, Major Stephen Yocum, by whom he has 
had eleven children, seven of whom are yet living. The family 
are yet living upon the farm to which the young couple removed 
when first married, but the number of acres have increased until 
they number more than a half section ; the little frame house 
"just big enough for two, you know," has given place to one of 
11—24 



374 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

the neatest and best farm houses in iSTew Salem township, with 
room enough to entertain a score of friends, whom they number 
by hundreds. The situation of their house could not be improved, 
and its entire surroundings betoken the good taste of the master 
and mistress of the mansion. The farm is also one of the best in 
the entire township, every rod of it under cultivation, and all well 
improved. The entire surroundings of the place show careful 
management, there being no plows, harrows or reapers laying 
around exposed to the rain and rust, but all carefully housed and 
cared for until time to be used. We herein see the secret of his 
success. Starting in life without capital, with only a pair of stout 
hands and a willing heart, we see him to-day one of the foremost 
farmers in his section of country, with a farm of some hundreds of 
acres of the finest land in the county or State — all the result of 
his own labor, aided by a true helpmeet in his wife. 

Mr. Harlan has never held a public office, but it is not on ac- 
count of a lack of confidence shown in him by his friends, but for 
the reason that he has never aspired to any official station, being 
content to occupy an humble position in society, surrounded by 
his wife, children and friends. He is a man that enjoys the con- 
fidence and respect of all his acquaintances, and no one stands 
higher in the community than he. In the family circle he is kind 
and pleasant, having the love of the entire household. He has 
never, we believe, made a profession of religion, but is in every 
respect a strictly moral man, observing the golden rule, " Do unto 
others as you would others should do unto you." ISo man can 
truly charge him with obtaining any of his goods by deceit or 
through unfair dealings. 

Mr. Harlan is about five feet ten inches in height, slinily built, 
but of considerably physical endurance, and will doubtless live to 
a ripe old age. 

HON. HUMPHREY HORRABIN. 

As an illustration of what young men can do for themselves 
even when opportunities for improvements are indeed meager, we 
would call attention to the following sketch of Hon. Humphrey 
Horrabin, of Blandinsville, township. Mr. Horrabin was born in 
Allerton, near Liverpool, England, on the fifteenth of December, 
1846. His parents, James and Frances (Sharpless) Horrabin, were 
poor in this world's goods, and gave him the opportunity to at- 
tend the subscription school of his native country only a few 



HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGH COUNTY. 375 

months. But he was instructed well in the doctrines of the church, 
its discipline, etc. In 1820, when thirteen years of age, he 
w^as bound an apprentice to learn the trade of shoemaker, the time 
of his service to be seven years. Completing the required time as 
an apprentice, he continued at the trade as a journeyman until his 
removal to this country and for ten years thereafter. 

On the third day of October, 1836, he was married to Miss 
Elizabeth Smalle}^ of England, by whom he had six children, 
only one of whom is now living. Mrs. Ilorrabin died at her home 
near Blandinsville, on the twenty-iitth of July, 1870, in the full 
assurance of faith, having been a servant of Christ for many 
years as a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 
After working at his trade in the old country for eighteen 
years, Mr. Horrabin was forced to the conclusion that no 
opportunity was offered there, even to the most industrious, for 
any very rapid advancement, and turning his eyes towards the new 
world he determined on emigrating and endeavoring to build up 
a name and home for himself and family. In the spring ot 1847 
he sailed for America, and in due time arrived in Xew Orleans, 
from which place he proceeded to Lewistown, Fulton county, Illi- 
nois. Here he engaged as a journeyman, and as such worked 
for some months. In coming to this country he had not the 
means to bring his family, therefore it was his first thought to ac- 
cumulate money enough to send for them. In order to do this,he 
thought best to only draw so much ot his wages per week as 
would be necessary for his individual wants, and leave the balance 
until it should be sufficient for his purpose. When the sum had 
reached two hundred dollars he concluded to draw it, but on call- 
ing for it he was informed by the firm they could not pay as they 
were bankrupt. This was a sad blow to him. After working hard 
formonths and stinting himself in the enjoyments of themauy com- 
forts of this life, to be deprived of all his hard earnings and the 
privilege of again beholding his family for many months. He was 
now thrown out of employment, but right here, when all seemed 
dark to him, a ray of light appeared, and he thanked God he was 
now in a Christian land, and, though the ties of kindred bound 
them not together, a better principle than all prevailed — love to 
thy neighbor. Leading citizens of the place came to his assist- 
ance, purchasing for him a stock of leather, tools, etc., and giving 
him his own time to pay. He was thus enabled to go on, and 



376 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

soon had the satisfaction of gathering around him his loved fam- 
ily. These "Good Samaritans"' of Lewislown will always hold a 
warm place in his heart. 

Mr. Ilorrahin remained in Lewistown five years, when, think- 
ing to better himself, he purchased of Charles Chandler, Esq., of 
Macomb, the southeast quarter of section 14, Blandinsville town- 
ship, where he yet resides. He paid for the quarter §300, and has 
since repeatedly refused $10,000 for it. Without any previous ex- 
perience in farm life he began its improvement, and to-day has 
one of the best farms in the county. In 1859, becoming somewhat 
pressed financially by the failure of many of the banks of the 
country, and in order to relieve himself the more speedily, he 
rented his farm, and moving into Tennessee, this county, he again 
returned to his trade which he continued for five years, at the ex- 
piration of which time he returned to the farm. While in Ten- 
nessee the dark war clouds hovered over the country, and upon 
the side of the Union Mr. H. arrayed himself, and on account of 
the expression of his sentiments he was cordially hated by those 
opposed to the war. The firm stand taken by him during these 
trying times secured for him the warm and earnest support of his 
Republican friends and in the County Convention in 1868, he re- 
ceived the nomination for Ilepresentative to the General Assem- 
bly, to which position he was triumphantly elected, and where he 
served with honor to himself and constituents. 

Mr. ITorrabin, since his thirteenth year has been a member of 
the M. K. C'burch, and with that body of earnest Christian work- 
ers, he has labored for many years, taking an active part in all 
church and Sunday school work. lie is likewise a strong temper- 
ance man. 

In 1872, he conchided once more to visit his aged mother and 
the scenes of his childhood. The visit was a pleasant one, the 
memory of which will never be forgotten. While there he made 
the a(!quaintance of Miss Mary Ockleshaw, whom he prevailed to 
accompany him home as a bride. Their union has been blessed 
with one child. 

HON. JOHN HUSTON. 

An old pioneer, w(.'ll beloved by all who were acquainted with 
him (and their names arc legion), was John Huston, of Blandins- 
ville township— one who, in the early history of the county, took 
an active part in its organization, and who filled several important 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 377 

positions of trust, but of whom it can well be said, " the office 
sought the man and not the man the office." 

John Huston was born near Sparta, White county, Tennessee, 
May 17, 1808. Ilis parents were Walter and Xancy (Bradshaw) 
Huston, the former being a Virginian by birth and the latter a 
Kentiickian. Both were hard-working, industrious people, poor 
in this world's goods, and therefore the advantages afibrded their 
children were but few to attain anything like a fair education. The 
subject of this sketch had only a limited knowledge of his mother 
tongue, together with the sciences taught in the schools of the day, 
having the opportunity of attending only such schools as gave in- 
struction in the simple rudiments of the language; but, as will be 
observed by readers ot this sketch, the little knowledge obtained, 
combined with rare good sense and judgment, enabled him to 
make his way in the world with honor to himself and credit to 
those whom he represented in the councils of his adopted State 
and county. 

Before reaching his majority, Mr. Huston led to the marriage 
altar Miss Ann Melvin, with whom he happily lived until separ- 
ated by death. They were married in his native county, on the 
second day of October, 1828, and twelve days thereafter the young 
couple, with all their worldly goods, departed for the great West, 
intending to make Illinois, with its beautiful prairies and grand 
groves, their home for the future. On the eleventh day of No- 
vember, 1828, they arrived in Morgan county, where they remained 
some sixteen months, when they came to this county, arriving 
here on the fourteenth day of March, 1830. When they arrived 
in the county, all they possessed of worldly property was one 
horse, an old-fashioned one-horse cart, a few household goods and 
fifty cents in money. Selecting their claim, a log house was 
erected, into which the family moved. There being no door cut, 
a log was removed, and all crawled in. This was the beginning of 
their life in McDonough county, and dreary enough must it have 
been. Well might they sigh for the comforts of the old home. 
But in the hearts of each there were no feelings of despondency, 
but a resolute determination, with the aid of "the Great Kuler of 
the universe, to succeed in life, to secure homes for themselves and 
children. In time their labors were blessed, and their most san- 
guine antici]>ations realized. 



378 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

When Mr. Huston arrived in the county it was unorganized, 
and in the work of organization which occurred some months 
after, he bore an honorable part, and was elected the first Treas- 
urerofthe county, which office he held but a few months, the du- 
ties requiring his presence in Macomb, and therefore could not be 
attended to by him, without the loss of more time than he could 
spare from his private affairs. It must be borne in mind the pay 
attached to the office then was not what it is at present, therefore 
the work performed was purely one of love and not for any pe- 
cuniary considerations. Otlier offices of minor importance were 
thrust upon him, offices tilled to the satisfaction of those by 
whom he was elected. As previously remarked, he never sought 
office at any time in his life, his personal feelings requiring to be 
sacrificed in accepting public position, but in 1847, he received 
the nomination of his party for member of the Constitutional Con- 
vention called for the purpose of amending the Constitution of 
the State, and was triumphantly elected. His services in that body 
were such as to secure his nomination in 1850, for the office of 
Representative in the General Assembly. Being elected thereto 
he served liis time and again was re-nominated in 1852, but was 
defeated on local grounds. Ko member from this county ever 
served more acceptably than he, and the services of none have 
ever been more highly appreciated. He was no orator, never hav- 
ing given any special attention to public speaking, the labors of 
life being in tilling the soil, and whatever talent he may have had 
for oratory was never cultivated. He was a man of but few words, 
but all that were said were direct to the point, the meaning be- 
ing plain and manifest to all. Common sense was characteristic of 
the man in all that he said or done. In politics he was a Demo- 
crat of the Jackson school, but his politics never interfered with 
the discharge of his duties as a public officer, and other qualities 
of the man of which mention is made further on in this sketch 
endeared him to many outside of his own party, securing him 
many votes belonging to the opposition. 

When Mr. Huston settled on section 3 there were only about 
six or eight families in the neighborhood, and probably not more 
than twenty-five in the whole county. The first winter passed in 
his new home w^as the one in which occurred the ever memorable 
and never to be forgotten big snow, of which mention is frequently 
made in this work. The hardships endured by the family were 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 379 

such as were common of all, serving to strengthen them for the 
trials that should come after. 

Shortly after his removal to the county, Mr. Huston became a 
disciple of Christ, uniting with and forming one of the original 
members in the organization of the old Liberty Christian Church, 
near the present town of Blaudinsville. It is the unanimous ver- 
dict of all who were intimate with his daily walk and conversa- 
tion that no man ever lived nearer the foot of the cross than he, 
none more closely followed tlie example and teachings of *' Ilim 
who went about doing good." " Pure religion and undeHled be- 
fore God, the Father," he practiced daily in his life. " Thou 
shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and all thy mind, 
and thy neighbor as thy self," was exemplified in all that he said 
and done, and the memory of no man is held in more grateful re- 
membrance by the thousands of persons throughout McDonough 
and surrounding counties who were recipients of and cognizant of 
the favors bestowed. Pure benevolence was a part of his nature, 
and all the good deeds performed by him are known on]y to the 
great I Am and the recording angel who makes record of the ac- 
tions of all. Many instances can we recall to mind of the good 
deeds performed by him that the recipients speak of with grateful 
hearts, but which otherwise have never been known. It is said 
that to accommodate another poor in this world's goods, often has 
he taken from the plow a horse that he was using and give to 
him, going out and purchasing another for himself. In the settle- 
ment of his estate, after death, his executor has remarked that day 
after day parties would come in acknowledging indebtedness to 
him of which no account had been made, it being presumable that 
he had sold them the property which they had acknowledged their 
indebtedness with the thought, if paid, all right, if not, it was all 
right any how. lie never sued a party in his life, nor ever was 
sued by another. He would rather sutler wrong than do aught 
that would directly or indirectly injure another. Such was the 
man John Huston. 

Mr. Huston was the father of eight children, seven boys and 
one girl, the latter being now the wife of Strawther Givens, Esq., 
of Abingdon, 111. Of the boys, it can be said, all now living oc- 
cupy honorable positions in society, two having been called to 
their reward. 



380 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

John Huston departed this life on tlie eighth day of July, 1854, 
being forty-six years and two months old. Ilis loss was deeply 
felt by friends throughout the whole State, and his memory is yet 
held in grateful remembrance, and will be while the life of those 
living who were intimate with him shall last. 

CHARLES R. HUME. 

Charles R. Hume was born in Delaware county, jS". Y., on the 
first day of January, 1814, and is the third of a family of ten, five 
of whom were sons and five daughters. His parents were Robert 
and Catherine (Rose) Hume, the father being by birth Scotch, 
while his mother was born in Delaware county, IST, Y., but of 
Scottish descent. His father was brought by his parents to this 
country when but seven years of age, and returned to Scotland on 
a visit when nineteen, remaining there some two years, when he 
again crossed the waters to America and settled in his former 
home, embarking in the mercantile trade. He died in 1858, leav- 
ing a fair amount of property to each of his children, and to his 
loved companion, who yet remains upon this side of the river. 
One son became an eminent clergyman, and was for a number of 
years missionary in India, and died while returning home. His 
remains lie sunk beneath the waters of the great ocean. Another 
occupied an honorable position at the bar in California. 

Charles R., the subject of our present sketch, has had a varied 
experience in life, spending the first fourteen years with his par- 
ents upon the farm and in attendance upon the public schools of 
his native county. When he reached the age of fourteen he was 
sent to Jefferson Academy in Snachwine county, N. Y., where 
he remained between three and four years, going from thence to 
]^ew York city, where he clerked in a wholesale dry goods store 
until the spring of 1837, when he came to this State, purchasing 
two .quarters of land in Hire township, this county. "While com- 
ing up the Mississippi river, the boat blew up, injuring quite a 
number on board, but he luckily escaped unhurt. 

After purchasing the two-quarters in Hire township, he went to 
Indiana, where his parents were then residing, remaining there 
until the following spring, when, purchasing a large amount of 
supplies, he returned to this county and settled upon his land. His 
presence was regarded with suspicion by the settlers in that neigh- 
borhood, who were composed principally of emigrants from Ken- 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 381 

tucky aud Tennessee, and who hated a Yankee with a righteous 
hatred, and looked upon all persons as Yankees who were born 
north of Mason's and Dixon's line, lie was ordered to leave, but, 
with the perverseness of the Scotch and " easy-go-care" of the 
Yankee, " reckoned as how he wouldn't go." And he did not, 
but remained at his post and conquered the prejudices of all 
against the race, or at least with respect to himself. 

The life of a farmer not proving attractive to him, he onl}' re- 
mained upon the farm two years, and when the town of Blan- 
dinsville was laid off, in company with Joseph C. Blandin, he 
erected a store-building and opened the first store in the place. 
This he fx)llowed, in connection with milling, until the breaking 
out of the Mexican war, when he enlisted in Captain Stapp's 
Company of Illinois mounted men, but was never sent to the front, 
being placed on detached service as recruiting officer, with head- 
quarters at Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis. In this capacity 
he continued until the close of the war, being mustered out at St. 
Louis, July 3, 1848. 

On his return from St. Louis he again embarked in the mer- 
cantile trade, continuing in it until the spring of 1852, when he 
went to California, remaining there some three years, during which 
time, in the town of Placerville, he read law with his brother 
John. Returning to Blandinsville in 1855, he continued to read 
until the following year, when he was admitted to the bar, having 
passed the examination required by law. Up to the present time 
he has continued to practice his profession, his principal business 
being confined to collections and criminal law. In collection, he 
is Xo. 1. 

lu political life Mr. Hume has always been active, in the old 
Whig days being a member of that grand old party. When the 
Republican party was organized he identified himself with it, con- 
tinuing steadfast in its principles to the present time. Although 
living in a strong Democratic township he has been frequently 
lionored by his friends and neighbors with public ofSce. He was 
for nearly four years Associate Justice of the County Court of 
McDonough county, resigning a few months before the expiration 
of his term to go to California. He has also been notary public 
for many years, and has never in a single instancee been beaten 
for office, save in 1858 for Kepresentative in the Illinois Legisla- 
ture, before the Repu])lican party bad come into the ascendancy. 



382 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

lie was one of only three men to vote the Republican ticket in 
the town of Blandinsville in 185G. For nearly twenty years he 
has held the ofiice of Justice of the Peace in that village. 

Mr. Hume had a hand in settling the Mormon difficulties in 
this county and State, and was one of the number to escort the 
last remnant of the "Saints" across the Mississippi river. 

When the war broke out in 1861, Mr. JIume embraced the cause 
of the Union with his whole soul, and while at Macomb, hearing 
the remark made that the citizens of his town were all rebels, he 
stated that he would prove the falsity of the charge by returning 
home at once and within one month reporting to Gov. Yates with 
as brave a company ot loyal soldiers as ever charged upon the 
enemy. The company was raised within the time specified, and 
its history (that of Co. C, 78th Ills. Vol.,) is written in blood upon 
history's page. On the first day of September, 1862, Mr. H. re- 
ceived his commission and was mustered into the service of the 
United States as captain of Co. C, serving as such until December 
18, 1864, when he was mustered out on account of disability. In 
December, 1862, he was captured by the rebel General Morgan, 
and paroled upon the battle-field, but not exchanged until Septem- 
ber, 1863. While under parole he was stationed at Benton Bar- 
racks, near St. Louis, and placed in command of the Second 
Battalion Illinois Paroled men, and was also made judge advocate 
on general court-martials. The most important battle in which 
he was engaged was Mission Ridge ; after which battle he was in 
the forced march to East Tennessee to relieve Gen. Burnside. He 
participated in many skirmishes, and was on detailed service much 
of his time. 

On the twenty-ninth day of May, 1839, he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Harriet L. Blandin, daughter of Joseph L. Blau- 
din, the founder of the town of Blandinsville, by whom he had 
two children, one son and one daughter. The daughter is now the 
wife of Joseph Edel, Esq., proprietor of the Edel House, and a for- 
mer member of the 11th Illinois Cavalry, of which "Bob" Inger- 
soll Avas colonel. The son, R. W. Hume, was also a member of 
the 11th Illinois Cavalry, joining the , service when Init seventeen 
years of age, and serving faithfully until the close of the war, be- 
ing mustered out as orderly sergeant. Since coming here he has 
held the ofiice of postmaster, and for some years engaged in the 
drug and hardware business. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 383 

Captain Hume is of medium lieiglit, well built, and when 
young must have been quite stout and verj active. He wears full 
beard, which is (|uite gray. 

As a citizen and neighbor he has always stood well, enjoying 
the respect and confidence of all alike. Such is Captain Charles 
R. Hume. 

JAMES IRWIN. 

The subject of our present sketch is a native of the State of 
Ohio, having been born in Knox county, of that commonwealth, 
on the fifth day of September, 1814. His father, James Irwin, Sr., 
was a native of New Jersey, while his mother, Susan (Holt) Irwin, 
was born in Pennsylvania. They were in very moderate circum- 
stances at the time of the birth of James, who, when but five years 
of age, was sent to a common district school, remaining there 
until old enough to become useful on a farm, when he was given 
ills daily task with the rest of the family. When sixteen years of 
age he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a carpenter, which 
business he afterward followed for twenty-five years, endeavoring, 
as a mechanic, to do his duty in a manner to receive the approval 
of those for whom he labored. When sent from home to learn 
his trade, his parents charged him to be careful not to drink too 
much liquor, as it might be injurious to him. At this time it was 
customary for nearly every one to drink, teetotalers being " like 
angel's visits, few and far between." James had an uncle, an old 
revolutionary eoldier, who received a pension from the govern- 
ment, the amount being annually paid him. On receiving it, this 
uncle would invest a goodly share of it in Avhisky, enough to last 
him until the next pay day, storing the same away in his cellar, 
and frequently imbibing thereof The habit had so grown on him 
that his friends became alarmed, and hence the anxiety of James' 
parents, and the advice given. Mind you, they did not advise 
him to abstain from drink, but not to drink too much. A little 
was often thought to be necessary for the bodily health of the in- 
dividual, and St. Paul, good man, advised Timothy to use a little 
wine for his stomach's sake, and surely we are not better than 
Paul. About a year after he left home, an opportunit}'' was af- 
forded him of listening to a temperance lecture, and such an im- 
pression was made upon his mind tliat he determined to sign the 
pledge, which he did, faithfully keeping it to tlie present time, 
reasoning that if he did not drink at all he would never bo in any 



384 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

danger of violating' the promise given his parents, " not to drink 
too much." This lirst pledge was only to abstain from the use of 
whisky, the milder drinks^of wine, beer and cider were not then 
supposed to be injurious. 

On the thirteenth day of August, 1835, at Mt. A'^ernon, Ohio, he 
led to the marriage altar, Miss Elizabeth Smith, and for forty-two 
years they have traveled the journey of life together, having been 
blessed with three children, two of whom are now living, the other 
having passed on to that "home beyond the rolling river," 
where it awaits the grand re-union which shall take place in 
the "sweet bye-and-bye." 

In 1842, he espoused the anti-slavery cause, and for thirty 
years, until the question ceased to be one of national importance, 
he was an earnest advocate of the principles pertaining to the 
abolition of slavery and the enfranchisement of the enslaved race. 
It must be remembered at the time he took his stand upon the 
side of freedom, the measure was not popular in this country, and 
even in the boasted free states of the nation, an abolitionist was re- 
garded as an unfit associate of decent people. iSTo one could ad- 
vocate the measures of that party without doing so at the risk of 
his life ; he was liable to receive the attack of an angry mob, his 
property destroyed, and either to be driven from his home or suffer 
death. On more than one occasion was the home of Mr. Irwin 
attacked, the lights in the windows broken out, and the life of his 
dear wife and little ones endangered by those who professed to be 
over virtuous and the salt of the earth. In passing along the 
streets he has been pelted with rotten eggs and other missiles in 
the name of constitutional liberty. All this is hard for the pre- 
sent generation to realize. 

In April, 18")0, he came to this State, settling in Vermont, Ful- 
ton county, where he worked at his trade for about live years. 
He then engaged in the mercantile trade for about four years, 
changing the same for that of a miller, purchasing a half interest 
in the East mill, which business he followed for four years more, 
wlicn he purchased a farm on section 16, Eldorado township, Mc- 
Donough county, where he has since continued to reside, except 
when attending to his ofHcial duties in Macomb. 

In 1872 he was elected Supervisor for Eldorado township and 
re-elected in 1873. During this year the "farmer's movement" 
under the name of the "Anti-monopoly Party," had attained con- 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 385 

siderable prominence in this county, as elsewhere, and coinciding 
■with the vie\vs of that party he was iirs^ed by his friends to per- 
mit the use of his name on the ticket, and consenting, he was nom- 
inated to the ofhce of County Judge and elected by a handsome 
majority. He has now held the position for four years, discharg- 
ingj^the duties of the oftice to the satisfaction of all having busi- 
ness to transact with him. Although not having the advantage 
of a law education, he is possessed of a good degree of common 
sense, which enables him to render a just and true decision. 

In 18i0 Judge Irwin made a profession of religion, uniting 
with the Congregational Church, in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, remaining 
in connection therewith until his removal to Illinois in 1850, eight 
years of the time holding the office of deacon. When he arrived 
in Vermont he found no church of that persuasion, and therefore 
united with the Presbyterian Church in that village, as one hold- 
ing views nearlv similar to the church of his choice. For eio:ht 
years he served in the office of elder in that body. He is now a 
member of the Congregational Church in Macomb, having united 
with that body since his election to public office, the duties of 
which require his presence so much of his time in that city. So 
far as we are enabled to observe, he is a devoted Christian man, 
having the welfare of his Master's cause at heart, and one that 
never shirks labor in the Lord's vineyard. The Sunday school 
cause finds in him an earnest advocate, and few Sabbaths ever 
pass without finding him in his accustomed place in the school. 
If not at home, some school in the neighborhood of the place of 
his sojourn has the benefit of his presence. He was for several 
years Vice President of the County Association, and organized 
the first township convention in Eldorado. The present efiicient 
schools of the township are in a great measure due to him, he 
having infused life into many of the lukewarm Christians of that 
neighborhood. Age does not seem to lessen his ardor or devotion 
to the cause. 

Although not possessed of a large amount of wealth, he has 
amassed sufficient of this world's goods to enable him, with his 
family, to live in a comfortable manner, and every dollar was ob- 
tained in a straightforward, legitimate way, by honest toil and 
strict economy. 

Judge Irwin is a tall, athletic-looking man, and in his younger 
days must have possessed considerable strength and endurance. 



386 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

That he has a mind and will ot his own, his devotion to the cause 
of freedom, temperance and religion will testify. I^o coward can 
can be a consistent advocate of either of these great principles. 
As a husband and father, he is kind and gentle ; as a friend and 
neighbor, he is beloved; as a citizen, be enjoys the respect of all 
who know him. May success crown all his efforts for good in the 
future as in the past. 

IIEV. JOSEPH L. KIRKPATRICK. 

In our county there are yet living many old pioneers worthy ot 
the name, men and women who have toiled long and endured 
much suffering in the past, but who, in the providence of God, are 
permitted to witness and enjoy some of the fruits of their labor. 
Few men now living in the State have witnessed more changes, 
or bad a more eventful life-history, than Joseph Lane Kirkpatrick, 
who was born three miles south of Edwardsville, Madison county, 
Illinois, on the twenty-second day ot April, 1803, fifteen years 
before the admission of Illinois as a State, and even before its ter- 
ritorial organization. His parents were Thomas and Polly (Lane) 
Kirkpatrick, both natives of Georgia, who emigrated to the wilds 
of Illinois some two years previous, in order, if possible, to better 
their condition in life, the opportunities for acquiring wealth or 
honors in their native State being poor, indeed. The elder Kirk- 
patrick was a man of considerable note in his day. He was a 
member of the constitutional convention in 1817, and was instru- 
mental in the preparation of the first constitution of the State. In 
1826 he was offered the position of circuit clerk of Madison county, 
but, on account of private duties, declined the honor. He was for 
some years county judge of ^Ladison county. 

The old log school-house, with its slab seats, puncheon floors, 
and window lights of greased paper, was the only institution of 
learning that Joseph ever attended; but, poor as were the school 
facilities afforded, he there laid the foundation of an education 
which in after years served as a basis for more extensive reading 
and the application of the knowledge gained to the proclamation 
of the gospel of Christ. 

The same general traits of character exhibitedin manhood were 
shown while a mere boy and in youth. He was kind, pleasant and 
agreeable in his intercourse with his companions, and ever ready 
to do a good deed. In the care of brothers and sisters younger 
than himself, he was ever watchful. An incident happened when 



HISTORY OV m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 387 

he was only eiglit years of age that is indelibly impressed u[ion 
his mind. While playing upon the bank of a stream with two 
brothers, one older and one younger than himself, the younger fell 
into the water, which at that place was very deep. The elder 
brother waded in, and was carried down the stream to the oppo- 
site side and drowned. The younger, by some means, floated 
upon the water, and was carried down the stream, which being 
observed by Joseph, he hurried down a few yards where the water 
was shallow, pulled him out upon the shore, and thus saved his 
life. This l)rother is yet living, and a citizen of Adams county, 
Illinois. 

AVhcn only eleven years of age he made a profession of religion 
and united with the M. E. church, retaining his connection there- 
with until the present time ; and among this zealous and God-fear- 
ing people he has faithfully labored for many years, and, in the 
hands of God has been instrumental in the salvation of many 
souls. In 1832 he was licensed by the quarterly conference, at 
Jacksonville, as a local preacher, continuing this relation lor six 
years, when he joined the traveling connection, being appointed to 
the Fort Madison, Iowa, circuit. A short time after entering 
upon this field of labor, he was ordained Deacon by Bishop Soule. 
As such he served for two years, when he was ordained Elder by 
Bishop Wah. Elder Kirkpatrick has done a great deal of itine- 
rant worli, and his labors have been blessed of God. He was the 
first traveling preacher in Iowa City ; traveled seven years in the 
State of Iowa, and was then transferred to the Northern, now Cen- 
tral Illinois Conference, of which body he is yet a member. At 
present he is a superannuated minister, being too old for the 
regular work, but he is by no means idle. Frequently he is called 
upon by the Presiding Elder, and other ministers, to fill their ap- 
pointments, which is done to the satisfaction of those who are per- 
mitted to attend his services. In the evangelical field he has la- 
bored considerably, and in protracted efibrts he has been eminent- 
ly successful. Being a plain, practical speaker, with a heart full 
of love to God and humanity, he presents the truths of the gospel 
in such a manner as to carry conviction to the hearts of his hear- 
ers. In the Sabbath School work he has likewise manifested in- 
terest, but the nature of his work has usually been such as to pre- 
vent himbeing so active in that department as in others. Realiz- 
ing now the magnitude of the Sunday School, his prayers ever go 



388 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

np for those laboring in that part of the Lord's vineyard. In the 
temperance cause he has always been enlisted, and as opportunity 
afforded he has spoken upon this important subject. 

Some years before he entered upon the ministry, Elder Kirk- 
patrick was united in marriage with Miss Meriel K. Pratt, in 
Sangamon county, Illinois. Six children did the Lord give unto 
them, four sons and two daughters, three sons and one daughter 
yet residing upon this side of the river, the others having passed 
on before. 

The wife of Elder Kirkpatrick has indeed been a "help-meet" 
unto him. "While he was away proclaiming the unsearchable 
riches of Christ, Mrs. Kirkpatrick took upon herself the manage- 
ment of a large farm, and for many years had full charge of every- 
thing connected with that work, even when the Eider was at 
home. That her managemeut was eminently satisfactory will be 
admitted when we take into consideration the accumulation of 
property which they now enjoy. 

The recollection of the Elder of events transpiring in the early 
day is remarkably good. AVhen but three years of age, he was 
sent to school, and in this year (1806) occurred an eclipse of the 
sun, the remembrance of which is still vividly impressed upon his 
mind. Another event was the murder of a family of eight per- 
sons by the Indians, which occurred about eight miles from his 
father's house, in IBIL An earthquake also occurred in this year, 
or the following one, which shook the houses for miles around. 
But time would fail us to record the many scenes which he has 
passed through. If we but think that only three years of the 
present century had passed, and fifteen years before Illinois was 
admitted to the Union, when he was born, and that all the re- 
markable events which have since occurred he has been an eye wit- 
ness, or been cognizant of, we can realize something of his life 
history. The war of 1812, the Mexican war, the war of the rebel- 
lion, the invention of the steamboat, the railroad car, the tele- 
graph, the steam printing press, all these within his recollection. 
In the war of the rebellion Mr. Kirkpatrick sent two sons, As- 
bury and William B., who served with honor to themselves and 
their country. They were engaged in several of the most im- 
portant battles of the war. No more loyal man or stronger Re- 
publican ever lived than Elder J. L. Kirkpatrick. At the age of 
seventy-four he is yet in the enjoyment of good health, and that 



HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGH COUNTY. 389 

he may live manj more years, and when called to his home in the 
sweet by-and-bye, may he receive one of the brightest crowns. 
Of his good wife, who, as we have remarked, has been truly a 
" help-meet " to him during the long years of their married life, 
may her end be peace and joy, and as she passes away may she 
receive the welcome announcement, "Well done, good and faith- 
ful servant, enter thou into the joys of thy Lord." 



11—15 



390 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



POLITICAL. 



roliticall}', McDonough county has always been classed among 
the close or doubtful counties, neither party having sufficient 
strength at any time to claim it with certainty. For the first ten 
years of its existence party lines were not drawn, the citizens of 
the county exercising the rights of the elective franchise as each 
thought best for his own interest, or the interest of the country. 
The anti-Clay party, in general elections, always carried the day, 
but in local elections the best men were generally selected, regard- 
less of whether they favored the one party or the other. In the 
selection of County Commissioners locality had more to do than 
anything else; the county being divided into three districts each 
one desired to be represented. 

1830-39. — We have no record of a party caucus or convention 
being held previous to 1840, unless it might be said that a meet- 
ing held in Middletown in 1838, by the Democrats, in which an 
eftbrt was made to concentrate their votes on Jesse Neece, one of 
their candidates for Sheritf, could be called one. At this elec- 
tion there were five candidates for the office of Sheriti', three 
Democrats and two Whigs, and at this meeting in Middletown it 
was hoped to etiect an arrangement by which Mr. Xeece could 
get the combined party strength. The eflfbrt failed. The Whigs 
generally concentrated on William H. Randolph, one of their can- 
didates, and he also being personally popular was elected, the 
first Whig ever elected to office in the county. 

1840. — Both the Democratic and Whig parties held regular 
conventions, and nominated straight tickets, the first regular party 
conventions ever held in the county. This was the year of the 
"hard cider campaign," one of the most exciting political cam- 
paigns in the history of this country. Mass meetings were held, 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY 391 

in which the old log cabin, representiug the lowly origin of tlie 
Whig candidate for President, Gen. William H. Harrison, was car- 
ried around, and hard cider flowed like water. The same general 
interest and excitement that prevailed elsewhere, were exhibited 
here. Large gatherings of both parties were held in various parts 
of the county, and party feeling ran high. The Whigs, on the 
fourth of July, held a mass meeting and barbecue in Macomb, 
and the Democrats denounced the act as a desecration of the 
day, and a blight settling afterwards upon the grove in which 
the meeting was held, was said by them to be a judgment of the 
Almighty against their proceedings. The Whigs charged th'e 
Democrats with being likewise guily of a desecration of the day, 
it it could be so called, in holding a public meeting in the vicinity 
of Spring Creek. In justice to the Democrats, we must say that 
they vehemently denied its being a political gathering, but only 
a meeting for the proper celebration of the nation's birthday. 
After a most exciting time, the Whigs carried the county by ma- 
jorities ranging from twenty-live to forty-flve — Colonel W. W. 
Bailey, candidate for the Legislature, receiving the former ma- 
jority, and General Harrison the latter. Among the incidents 
related of this campaign, was one of John Gibson, who lived near 
Middletown. He was a strong Democrat, but had formerly been 
a soldier under General Harrison, and had the utmost respect for 
the old warrior. Though he would not vote for his old general, 
he allowed no one to speak evil of him in his presence, and would 
get flghting mad if any one dared to do so, and shaking his fist 
in the face of the of the offender, he would say : "Sonny, don't 
say that ; if you do, I will hit you." 

1842. — The Whigs again carried the county, electing their 
whole ticket, by majorities ranging from sixteen to twenty-two, 
with the exception of Coroner, Charles Chandler being beaten by 
Benjamin B. Head twenty-two votes. 

1843. — The tide now turned, and the Democracy carried the 
county by majorities ranging from eleven to one hundred and fort}-- 
tive, excepting on County Treasurer, Iverson L.'^Twyman, Whig, 
being elected over Jesse M. Chapman, the Democratic candidate, 
one hundred and seventeen votes. The cause of the latter's defeat 
was attributed to his being a minister of the gospel, there being a 
prejudice in the minds of many against voting for one of his class 
lor an office. At this election the interest all centered in the can- 



392 HisTORV OF m'donough county. 

didates for Congress, lion. Cyrus AValker, Whig, and lion. James 
P. Hoge, Democrat. Mr. Walker at this time was living in Ma- 
comb, and had a practice which extended over the whole north- 
western part of the State and in Iowa. It was no doubt against 
his will that he accepted the nomination for Congress, he refusing 
the proffered honor time and again. As mentioned in another 
part of this work, the Mormons had settled in large numbers in the 
adjoining count}^ of Hancock, and now held the balance of power 
in this Congressional District. In order, therefore, to secure vic- 
tory, it was necessary to secure the Mormon vote. Mr. Walker, 
having on one or two occasions served very successfully as counsel 
lor Joe Smith, the Mormon prophet, was considered by the Whigs 
the most available man they could present to catch this vote; that 
with him as a leader, they would, without doubt, secure the votes 
of the Mormons, and thus carry the district. 

Joe Smith, the prophet, and George Smith, a leading bishop in 
the church, formerly an elder in the Presbyterian Church at Ma- 
comb, and well known to Mr. Walker, both Avrote, urging him to 
become a candidate and pledging him the Mormon vote. Thus 
solicited, Mr. W. became a candidate and entered into the canvass 
with his whole soul, traveling through the district and speaking 
night and day as opportunity offered. In the meantime the Dem- 
ocrats were not idle, and were not disposed to give up the Mor- 
mon vote without a struggle. Some time before the canvass com- 
menced, Joe Smith was arrested on a requisition from the Gov- 
ernor of Missouri and delivered to the agent from that State. 
The writ was returned satisfied. Before getting the prisoner out 
of the State, however, he was released on a writ of habeas corpus 
issued by some Mormon justice in ISTauvoo, allowable through 
some peculiar construction of the charter of that city. 

After losing their man, the Missouri officers immediately ap- 
plied to Gov. Ford, of this State, to renew the writ and send a 
force of militia to cxet^ute it. Mr. Walker went to Springfield to 
resist the application, and the governor for certain reasons refused 
to give his opinion in the case.* The Democratic managers had 
in this fact a weapon they used in an effectual manner to terrify 
the Mormons with — the idea that if they voted for the Whig can- 
didate the militia Avould be brought against them. Backinstos, a 
leading Democrat in Hancock county, went to Springfield, and 

/'See Ford's History, p. 316. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 393 

Governor Ford being absent, a leading Democrat in that city, in 
his name, gave a promise that if the Mormons voted the Demo- 
cratic ticket, the militia should not be used against them. They 
now resolved to drop Walker and take up lloge.f 

On Saturday before the election, Hiram Smith, brother of Joe, 
in a public address delivered in jSTauvoo, told the Mormons thai 
the Lord had revealed to him that if they voted against Hoge, a 
greater curse would befall them than befell them in Missouri ; 
therefore, "when the Lord speaks, let men obey." Word was 
sent Mr. Walker a few days before this that the Mormons would 
probably forsake him, and he at once went to Xauvoo and sought 
out Joe Smith for an explanation. lie was present when Hiram 
delivered his address, and was very indignant over the matter. 
Joe Smith, likewise, appeared to be very angry with Hiram, and 
told ^Ir. Walker he would yet make it all right with him, and 
that he himself the next day (Sunday) would speak to the people 
in his favor. Agreeable to his promise, he spoke for about an 
hour, eulogizing Mr. Walker very highly, declaring that he was 
no politician, but an honest man ; denounced those who should 
consult the Lord as to how they should vote, and declared that if 
any should do it, he should be cut off' from salvation ; said he 
should vote for his friend Mr. Walker. But in his hour's speech 
one thing was noticed : that notwithstanding the strong terras in 
which he denounced those who should consult the Lord as to how 
they should vote, he said : "Brother Hiram is the elder brother;" 
"Brother Hiram never has deceived this people;" "Brother Hiram 
loves this people ;" "When the Lord commands, the people must 
obey." The next day Joe did vote for Mr. Walker, but the bal- 
ance of the Mormons voted for Mr. Hoge, and elected him, as the 
Lord had commanded.* In this county, and in other counties in 
the district. Walker was denounced by some of the Whigs for 
trying to get the Mormon vote, and it is said he lost as many of 
their votes on this account as would have elected him. A good 
story is related at Mr. Walker's expense in reference to this mat- 
ter. On returning home from Nauvoo, the day after the election, 
he was met just west of the square, on Jackson street, Macomb, by 
some of his friends, who were anxious to learn the result of the 
election. "Well, ^Ir. AValker,'' said one, "how is it going?" "I 
am beat," said he. "Why, how is that?" "0, the Lord spoke to 

tSee Fonl, p. 317. 

-Hawkins Taylor, in Carthage Gazette, January 5, 1870. 



394 HISTOEY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Hiram Smith, and the Mormons all voted the Democratic ticket." 
John Long, a Scotch Democrat, overhearing the hitter's remark, 
spoke lip : "Look here, Mr. Walker, don't you know that when- 
ever the Lord speaks He always speaks Democratic ?" Not deign- 
ing a reply, Mr. AValker gave his horse a (nit and rode ofl'. 

1844. — At the August election the Whigs carried athe county by 
a small majority, except on Congressman and State Senator, 
while in November James Iv. Polk, Democratic candidate for 
President, received a majority of live votes over Henry Clay, 
Whig. In the November election about two hundred less vote« 
were polled than in August, showing but little interest, caused, 
douljtloss, by a general apprehension that the State would be 
Democratic anyhow. 

1845. — A light vote was polled, politics not seeming to enter 
into the canvass at all. Ivobert Bean was elected County Commis- 
sioner, Charles Chanrller School Commissioner, And W. W. Clay- 
ton Coroner. 

1846. — For State officers the Democrats carried the county by a 
small majority, while the Whigs elected the county officers by 
majorities ranging from thirty-three to ninety-iive, showing per- 
sonal popularity of their nominees. William H. Randolph was 
elected to the Legislature and David Lawson, Sheriff. 

1847. — County officers equally divided. At a special elec- 
tion in April the Democrats elected their candidates for mem- 
bers of the Constitutional Convention, sending James M. Camp- 
bell and John Huston. Isaac Grantham was elected County 
Clerk and Joel Pennington Commissioner, both Democrats. 

1848. — The Whigs were again victorious, Zachary Taylor beat- 
ing Lewis Cass 23 votes. In county officers the Democracy suc- 
ceeded in electing two of their candidates, Samuel Calvin being 
elected County Commissioner over Man kin Champion, and John 
P. Head, Coroner, without any regular opposition. 

1849. — We lind the Democrats again in power, carrying the 
counties by majorities ranging from 23 to 92. .lohn 0. C. Wilson, 
Whig candidate fo? School Commissioner, was elected without 
opposition. 

1850. — The Democracy still victorious; majorities ranging from 
5 to 13C. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 895 

1851. — The Whigs carried the Treasurer and School Commis- 
sioner, while the Democrats elected their candidate for Surveyor 
without opposition. 

1852. — As a national party, the Whigs made their last great 
eflbrt for control of affairs in the nation, nominating General Win- 
field Scott, a hero in the Mexican war. They made a strenuous 
eflortto secure his election. In this county the excitement ran 
pretty high, and a full vote was cast at the election, the Whigs 
carrying it by majorities ranging from 1 to 87 — Scott having a 
majority of 2. 

1853. — The Democracy again came to the front, electing their 
candidates by from 60 to 81 majority. 

1854. — This was the last year the Whig party put forth candi- 
dates for office. In this election they were again unsuccessful. 
As a national party, it was considered as good as dead, and there- 
fore, even in this county, where the chance of success was as good 
as that of the opposition, they could awaken no enthusiasm. The 
Democrats carried the county by majorities ranging from 24 
to 142, with the exception of the member of the legislature, 
L. H. Waters (Whig), being elected over John E. Jackson bj^ a 
majority of one vote. Mr. Waters ran not only as a Whig candi- 
date, but as a Temperance candidate, doubtless receiving some 
few votes from Democrats who were favorable to the Maine liquor 
law, an effort being made to secure the passage in this State of a 
similar law. Mr. Jackson, believing fraud had been perpetrated 
on the part of the opposition, notified Mr. Waters that he should 
contest the election ; and the latter, feeling that the question could 
best be settled by appealing again to the people, sent in his resig- 
nation to the governor, who accepted it and issued an ©rder for a 
new election on Saturday, December 30. Both parties, metaphor- 
ically speaking, again stripped themselves for the contest, and the 
battle was warm, indeed, resulting in the election of Mr. Waters 
by a majority of nineteen votes. 

1855. — The Democracy this year had things all their own way, 
no opposition being made. The "Know ISTothing," or American 
party, which was then said to be secretly organizing, probably had 
not 3'et sufficient strength to manifest itself. 

1856. — On the death of the Whig party, there sprang up two 
parties, neither of which could really claim to possess any of 
the vital principles that gave power to the old party. The Ameri- 



396 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

can party, believing the country in danger by the influx of for- 
eigners and the alarming growth of the Roman Catholic power, 
emblazoned on their banners, " Americans must rule America ;" 
"Put none but Americans on guard." Republicans plead for 
" Equal rights to all : free press and free speech." The American 
party made very rapid growth in many of the States, particularly 
in the South, while the Republican party only secured a foothold 
in the North, its principles being deemed antagonistic to some of 
the peculiar institutions of the South. In 1856 we find both these 
parties in this county in very considerable numbers, each striving 
for power, and both battling against a common enemy, the Demo- 
cratic party. A partial alliance was formed between them for the 
purpose of securing local offices. The American party, though 
outnumbering tlie Republican, was at a disadvantage, having no 
newspaper organ through which to express its views. In the Con- 
gressional District, of which McDonough county formed a part, 
in consequence of a vacancy existing, two candidates were nomi- 
nated for the long and short term, and it was generally agreed be- 
tween the two parties that if the Americans would vote for Jack- 
son Grimshaw, the Republican candidate for the long term, the 
Republicans would vote for Dr. J. B. Kjde, the American candi- 
date for the short term. As will be observed by reference to the 
official vote recorded elsewhere, the arrangement was pretty gener- 
rally carried out. For county offices the Americans made no 
nominations, it being understood the Republican candidates were 
not objectionable to them. See table for the general result of the 
election. 

1857. — The American party showed no signs of life, and the 
Republicans only polled about the same vote as the year previous, 
thus giving the county to the Democrats by a large majority. 

1858. — By reference to the vote, it would seem the Republican 
party now embraced about all the membership of the old Amer- 
ican party, only losing the election by an average majority of 200. 

1859. — From the returns for this year, it appears that the Dem- 
ocrats only polled about three-fourths their regular vote, and the 
Republicans about one-half, showing considerable apathy on the 
part of both parties. The Democratic majorities were from 480 
to 566. 

1860. — We now come to the memorable campaign of 1860, one 
during whicH there was intense excitement throughout the country. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. o97 

uot equalled even by the hard cider contest of 1840. The two 
favorite sons of Illinois were now rival candidates for the Presi- 
dency, and such an effort was put forth by the friends of each to 
carry the State as was never witnessed before or since. This 
county, being exceedingly close, was made a battle ground. Some 
of the best speakers in the State, of both parties, were sent here ; 
monster meetings were held by each ; the "Wide-awakes" and 
"Hickory Boys" were out in force, and immense efforts were put 
forth to influence votes. Both State and County tickets, of each 
of the parties, were claimed to be unexceptionable. A vast 
amount of money was spent ; and the final result was, the Repub- 
licans carried the county by majorities ranging from 11 to 127, 
though losing it on the Presidential vote, Douglas carrying it over 
Lincoln by 11 votes. John Bell, the Union candidate for presi- 
dent, received 62 votes and John C. Breckinridge 6. A larger 
vote was polled at this election than ever before, and the charge 
of fraud was made by both parties, each against the other, with 
what truth has really never been determined, and probably never 
will be. 

18G1-64. — During the next four years, viz., in 1861, 1862, 1863, 
and 1864, the Democrats had everything their own way, carry- 
ing the county generally by very respectable majorities, save in 
the year 1864, when the vote was very close, the Republicans suc- 
ceeding in electing their candidate for Sheriff by a majority of 
five, the Democrats carrying the rest of their ticket by an average 
majority of about twenty-five. 

1865. — This year the Republicans made a great effort to wrest 
the county from the control of the Democracy, and succeeded in 
electing their ticket by majorities ranging from 8 to 112. 

1866. — The eff'ort made in 1865 was continued this year, when 
the county went Republican by the largest majority ever obtained. 
The smallest majority received by any one of their candidates 
was 290 and the largest 424. 

1867. — The Democrats again succeeded in electing their county 
ticket, their candidate for Treasurer receiving a majority of 17 
and Surveyor 123. 

1868. — U. S. Grant carried the county b}' two hundt-ed and 
fourteen votes over Horatio Seymour, and the State ancl county 
Republican tickets obtained from one hundred and fitty-four to 



398 HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY. 

two hundred and fifteen majority. Considerable interest was man- 
ifested by both parties, and a thorongh canvass was made by each. 

1869. — Again the Democracy came to the front, electing their 
entire ticket by majorities all the way from seventeen to one hun- 
dred and seventy-three. 

1870. — The Democracy again in front, electing their candidates 
by majorities ranging from ninety-seven to one hundred and six- 
ty-two. 

1871. — Considerable scratching this year, the Republican candi- 
date for Treasurer running behind his ticket. 

1872. — The Democracy of the country united with the Liberal 
Republi'^ans and nominated Horace Greeley for President. This 
nomination was endorsed by the Democracy of this county, the 
great mass of the party heartily supporting the ticket, though 
there were a few who did not support Greeley, as will be seen by 
reference to the returns. Grant's majority in the county was 197, 
while the State ticket of the Republicans only received an aver- 
age majority of about eighty-eight. The personal popularity of 
the Republican candidates for local offices, caused them to run 
ahead of their ticket, I. Is". Pearson receiving a majority of 275 
votes, and Samuel Frost 241. 

1873. — This year the opposition to Republicans called them- 
selves Anti-Monopolists, and, by uniting the entire Democratic 
strength with the votes of such Republicans who were Grangers 
or Anti-Monopolibts, succeeded in electing their entire ticket by 
majorities ranging from 172 to 226. 

1874. — This year there was a triangular fight, three parties be- 
ing in the field — Democratic, Republican and Independent, the or- 
ganization known as the Anti-Monopoly party having been aban- 
doned or merged into the Independent. About seven-eighths of 
the regular vote of the county was polled, the Republicans being 
successful over both the other parties. 

1875. — This year but little interest was manifested, there again 
being three tickets in the field, and the opposition to the Republi- 
cans having little hope, in their divided state, of being successful, 
but a small vote was polled, the Republican candidates receiving 
a majority over both. 

1876. — Success in various States for two years gave the Democ- 
racy increased hope of again coming to the front. WefiLd them 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 399 

this year thoroughly re-orgauizecl, and under the old party name. 
Certain abuses in the administration of the civil service of the 
couutr^^, gave the party a chauce to demand a change, and under 
the cry of "Reform," they went into the canvass with a determina- 
tion to win. In this county there were again three tickets, the In- 
dependent party making their tight upon the tinancial question. 
The local tickets of all parties were unexceptionable, and, on pei-- 
fional grounds each tried to obtain votes. The principal candi- 
dates for local ofiice ran ahead of their tickets in their respective 
towns, which certainly speaks well for them. 

AVith this, the political history of the county is brought down to 
the present time, and by reference to the returns given below, it 
will be seen how close has been the result year by year. In conse- 
quence of this closeness the canvass has usually been very warm, 
and as a general thing men of unexceptionable personal character 
have been nominated, each party trusting the personal popularity 
of its nominees will increase their vote. It has been well for our 
county that such has been the case, as it has had a tendency to 
make each more watchful of the interests of the people, and not 
so much that of party. 

Below will be found a carefully compiled record of election re- 
turns for each year since the organization of the county: 

isr,0. GOVERNOR. Vote. Majority. 

William Kinney 5<; -19 

John Keynolds 7 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

Benjamin V. Geel 'l-'i 26 

Joel Wright I'J 

SHERIFF. 

William Southward 28 1 

William Garret 27 

Peter Bilyer f? 

CORONER. 

Isaac Barrett 41 19 

John Seward 23 

1831. CONfJRESS 

James Gurney (lonfrterm) 1J2 126 

Sydney Breese (long term) 16 

Joseph Dunean (short term) 140 121 

E. Coles (short term) 16 

1832. PRESIDENT. 

Andrew Jackson 12S 107 

Henry Clay 21 

1831. GOVERNOR. 

Joseph Dunean 187 117 

William Kinney '2 

Joseph MeLaughlln 17 

STATE SENATOR. 

(;. W p. MeMackville 183 67 

Wm. Chapman !!•> 



400 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

1834. Vote. Majority. 

CONGRESS. 

William S. May 229 161 

Benjamin Mills 68 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

William Eflmondson 2:?9 15'J 

Peter Butler 80 

1835. CIRCUIT CLERK. 

James M. Caranbell 304 204 

Thompson Chandler 100 

COUNTY SURVEYOR. 

C. W. Bacon 175 17 

W. W. Bailey 74 

A. Maylield 1,38 

1836. PRESIDENT. 

Martin VanBnren ].V,> 35 

William H. Harrison 124 

CONGRE.SS. 

William L. May 303 103 

John G. Stuart 200 

1837. PP.OnATE .lUsTICE. 

William Willi.s, Dem 176 

Peachy Gilmore, Dem 183 7 

Richard S. Lowe, Whig 83 

Henry H, Hardin, Whig M 

CORONER. 

John P. Head, Dem 2.38 87 

John L. RiLssell, Whig 151 

Robert L. Kussell, Dem 6 

COUNTY TREASURER. 

Benjamin Naylor, Whig (no oppo.sition) 394 

CIRCUIT CLERK. 

James M. Campbell, Dem. (no opposition) 439 

1838. GOVERNOR. 

Cyrus EdwarSs, Whig 332 

Thomas Carlin, Dem 382 50 

CONGRESS. 

Stephen A. Douglas, Dem ,365 

JohnG. Stuart,;Whig , 866 1 

STATE SENATOR. 

Thomas H. Owens, Dem 342 

Sydney H. Little, Whig 36S 26 

SHERIFF. 

W. H. Randolph (no opposition) 

CORONER. 

Caleb G. Overton (no opposition) 

1839. COUNTY CLERK. 

.Tames M. Campbell, Dem .511 288 

Isaac Grantham, Whig 223 

PROBATE .IISTICE. 

James Clarke, Dem „ 415 113 

William Willis, Whig : 297 

COUNTY CO.MMISSIONER. 

James Kdmonston, Dem 391 86 

Caville Archer, Whig 306 

COUNTY SURVEYOR. 

Samuel A. Hunt, Dem 488 33^ 

Newtoii W. Chase, Whig 152 

C. L. Overton, Whig 99 

COUNTY TREASURER. 

Jessie M. Chapman Dem 341 221 

Charles M. liartlcson, Wliig 128 

Benjamin T. Naylor, Whig 186 



HISTORY OF M'uONOUGH COUNTY. 401 

1840. puEsiDEXT. Vote. Majority. 

Williiiin II. Harrison, Whig 472 45 

Martin Van Buren, Dem 4'27 

RF.PRE.'<ENTATIVE. 

William W. B.iiloy, Whis 497 28 

William Edmunston, Dcm 4G9 

SHERIFF. 

William IT. Rnndolpli, Whig 5:!6 196 

John W. WestfiiU, Deni ?40 

John H. Westfall, Dum 97 

CORONER. 

Benjamin B. Head, Dem 299 121 

Benjamin Head, uem Kjg 

('. L.Overton, Whig 178 

Scattering 72 

1841. COX<iRES.S. 

.John T. ?tuart, Whig 430 3 

John H. Kalston, Dem 427 

SCHOOL COMMISSIONER. 

Isaac Grantham, Dem 4S7 78 

Benjamin T. Naylor, Whig 359 

1842. GOVERNOR. 

Joseph Duncan, Whig oOfi 19 

Thomas Ford, Dem 487 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

Hugh Ervin, Whig 4SS 22 

Harvey F. Chase, Dem 4GG 

SHERIFF. 

Willi.im H. Randolph. Whig 500 16 

Jonathan H. Baker. Dem 484 

COUNTY COMMISSIONER. 

Isaac G. Smith, Whig , 4j.<) j4 

Joel Pennington, Dem 47.-, 

CORONER. 

Charles Chandler, Whig 437 

Benjamin B. Head, Dem 459 22 

1843. CONGRESS. 

Joseph P. Hoge, Dem ,=i37 39 

Cyrus Walker, Whig 498 

COUNTY CLERK. 

James M. Campbell, Dem 522 11 

John Fletcher, Whig 511 

RECORDER. 

William T. Head, Dem r,m 90 

William Y. Head, Whig 479 

COUNTY COMMISSIONER. 

William Ferguson, Dem ,547 .57 

John Clark, Whig 490 

SURVEYOR, 

Samuel A.Hunt, Dem 589 145 

II. J. Averill, Whig 444 

COUNTY TREASURER. 

Iverson L. Twyman, Whig ,5.55 117 

Jesse M. Chupman, Dem 4:« 

1844. CONGRESS. 

Joseph P. Hoge, Dem ,579 12 

Martin P. Sweet, Whig ,507 

STATE SENATOR. 

William McMillan. Dem ^1' 7 

Pinkney H. Walkei, Whig 5(J0 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

H. I>, Brvant. Dem xn 

W. H. Randolph, Wnig 578 47 



402 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

1844. Vote. Majority. 

SHERIFF. 

Jonathan H. Baker, Dem .%9 

David Lawsoii, Whig 587 28 

COUNTY COMMISSIONER. 

Harrison TIiinKate, Dem 5.56 

John G. Woodside, Whig 576 20 

CORONER. 

James Anderson, Whig 781 715 

B. B. Head, Dem 66 

SCHOOL COMMISSIONER. 

Charles Chandler, Whig 767 

PRF.SIDENT. 

James K. Polk 48J 5 

Henry Clay 479 

At the election in Angust, 1845, a light vote was polled, and politics do not seem to have entered 

into the contest to any great extent. Robert Bean was elected Commissioner ; Charles Chandler, 
School Commissioner, and W. W. Clayton, Coroner. 

1846. GOVERNOR. Vote. Majority. 

Augustus C. French, Dem .')~0 ;;8 

Thomas M. Kilpatrick, Whig 542 

CONGRESS. 

Thomas J. Turner, Dem 507 2't 

JamesKnox, Whig 542 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

W. H. Randolph, Whig 565 77 

James M. Campbell, Dem 488 

COUNTY CLERK. 

Isaac Grantham, Dem 56'> 33 

Isaac G. Smith, Whig 5:30 

SHERIFF. 

David Lawson, Whig 612 9} 

Samuel A. Hunt, Dem 517 

COUNTY COMMISSIONER. 

Joel Pennington, Dem ,587 90 

Samuel Wilson, Whig 497 

SURVEYOR. 

H. J, C. Averill, Whig 5.52 35 

Jeremiah L. Cross, Dem , 517 

1847. DELEGATE TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. 

James M. Campb;!!, Dem 378 50 

J. P. Gates. Whig 328 

JOINT DELEGATE TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. 

John Huston, Dem 407 97 

John H. Mitchell, Whie 310 

PROIiATE .JUDGE. 

Williams. Hail, Whi^ 444 53 

Charles C. Hungate, Dem 391 

RECORDER. 

William T. Head, Den\ 4.53 182 

Nelson Montgomery, Whig 271 

COUNTY TREASURER. 

John W. Westfall, Dem 448 130 

William L. Broaddus. Whig 318 

SURVEYOR. 

Henry J. Averill, Whig 439 104 

Ephraim Swingle, Dem » 335 

COUNTY CLERK. 

Isaac Grantham, Dem. (no oppo.sition) 648 

1848. PRESIDENT. 

Zachary Taylor, Whig 437 23 

Lewis Cass, Dem 416 

Martin VanBuren, Free-soil 25 



HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGH COUNTY. 403 

18-lf*. Vote. Majority. 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

Josiah Iliirrison, Whig 583 41 

George Bughmaii, Dein 542 

SHERIFF. 

David Lawson, AVhig .* G02 45 

Jonathan H. Baker, Duni 557 

COUNTY commission?;r. 

Mankin Chnmiiioii, Whig 568 

Samuel C'alvin, Dem 574 6 

SURVEYOR. 

James W. Brattle Whig _ 571 19 

Samuel L.Clark, Di^m 418 

Samuel Clark, Dem 134 

CORONER. 

John P. Head, Dera 6.52 

Scattering 62 

1849. COUNTY JUDGE. 

James Clarke, Dem 606 43 

Thomas A. Booking, Whig 563 

COUNTY CLERK. 

Isapc Grantham, Dem 612 41 

Joseph E. Wyne, Whig 571 

COUNTY TREASURER. 

William T. Heaa, Dem 633 92 

William S. Hail, Whig 541 

SURVEYOR, 

William H. Rile, Dem 590 23 

James W. Brattle, Whig 507 

John O. C. Wilson was elected School Commissioner without opposition. This was the first elec- 
tion under the new constitution, and was held in November. 

1850. REPRESENTATIVE. 

John H. Huston, Dem 543 107 

James B. Kyle, Whig 436 

CONGRE.SS. 

Thompson Campbell, Dem 532 96 

Martin P. Sweet, Whig 436 

SHERIFF. 

William T. Head. Dem 519 * 136 

Joseph P. Updegrair, Whig 413 

COUNTY TREASURER. 

Samuel E. Tavlor, Dem 476 5 

G. L. FarwelC Whig 276 

William Cheney, Wliig 195 

CORONER. 

Lewis Graves, Dem 538 109 

Jvjhn S. Smith, Whig 429 

li:5]. COUNTY TREA.SURER. 

Samuel E Taylor, Dem 441 

John S. Wooley, Whig 443 7 

SURVEYOR. 

\V. H. Rile, Dem 569 558 

Scattering 11 

SCHOOL COM.MISSIONER. 

J. O. C. Wilson, Whig 3S3 C8 

John E, Jackson, Dem 315 

GENERAL BANKING LAW. 

For 472 1 

Against 471 

1852. GOVERNOR. 

Joel A. Matteson, Dem S41 

E. B. Webb, Whig 814 3 



404 HISTORY OF m'donough county. 

1852. ' Vote. Majority. 

PRESIDENT. 

Winfickl Scott, Wliig 8^0 2 

Franklin Pierce, Dem 8;?8 

Jolin I'. Hale, Abol « 

CONGRESS. 

\V. A. Richardson, Pern 836 

O. II. Browning, Whig 869 28 

STATE SENATE. 

J. M. CampVjell, Dem 790 

;. W. Singleton, Whig 820 30 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

John Huston, Dem 816 

J. M. Kandolph, Whig, 858 42 

CIRCUIT CXEP.K. 

W. H. Randolph, Whig 8:38 3 

W. T. Head, Dem 835 

SHERIFF. 

S H. Hogan, Dem 758 .30 

Dr. C. Gillihan, Whig , 728 

B. B. Head, Ind. Dem -. 163 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY. 

J. S. Bailv, Dem 402 

D. H. Giimer, Whig 549 87 

CORONER. 

Graves, Dem 8.33 

McCaiidless, Whig S41 8 

1853. COUNTY JUDGE. 

Thompson Chandler, Dem 796 74 

W. H. Franklin, Wliig 722 

ASSOCIATE JUSTICES. 

Samuel Calvin, Dem 807 95 

Silas J. Grigsb}-, Dem aSI 103 

William S. Hail, Whig 734 

James S. Hogan, Whig .. 712 

COUNTY CLERK. 

Isaac Grantham, Dem ■ 804 81 

Joseph W. Blount 723 

COUNTY TREASURER. 

S. H. McCandless, Whig 721 

T. B. MeCormiek, Dem 794 

SURVEYOR. 

William H. Rile, Dem 7«3 

W. i'. Barrett, Wliig 716 67 

SCHOOL COMMISSIONER. 

J. R. Simpson, Dem 777 60 

Alankin Champion, Whig 717 

1854. ' CONGRESS. 

W. A. Richardson. Dem 865 24 

Arch. Williams, Wliig 831 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

Louis H. Waters, Pro. and Whig 819 i 

John E. Jackson, Dem 818 

John Osborne, Rep 1 

COUNTY TREASURER. 

Francis 1). Lipc, Dem OOO 142 

John S. Holliday, Whig 704 

CORONER. 

David Reese, Whig _ 796 35 

Benjamin F. Broaddns, Dem 7G1 

John Friend, Dem 19 

1855. COUNTY TREASURER. 

John Knappenberger, Dem 324 201 

E. B. Bishop, Whig \m 

Scattering -j'j 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 405 

1855. Vote. Majority. 

SURVEYOR. 

Charles A. Gilehrist, Whig 247 81 

Samuel A. Hunt, Dem 141 

Scattering 25 

SCHOOL COMMISSIONER. 

Thomas E. Brannon, Dem 318 

Scattering 28 

185G. PRESIDENT. 

James Buehanan, Dem 1,370 515 

John C. Fremont, Rep 590 

Millard Fillmore, Am 8b4 

COVERNOR. 

W. A. Richardson, Dem 3,390 302 

AV. H. Bissell, Rep 1,088 

B. S. Morris, Am 315 

CONGRE.SS. 

I. N. Morris, Dem. (long term) 1,388 

Jackson Gr.mshaw, Rep. (long term) 1,417 29 

J. C. Davis, Dem. (short term) 1,357 lb5 

J. B. Kyle Am. (short term) 1,162 

Thomas C. Sharp, Rep. (short term) 255 

STATE SENATOR. 

W. C. Goudy. Dem 1,3% 

W. II. Franklin, Rep 1.42G 30 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

*Vandever Banks, Rep 1,444 20 

George Hire, Dem 1..424 

CIRCUIT CXERK. 

Wm. T Head, Dem 1,464 126 

Joseph E. Wyue, Rep 1,338 

SHERIFF. 

George A. Taylor, Dem 1,496 174 

l&aiah Dennis, Kep 1,322 

CORONER. 

Benjamin T. Broaddus, Dem 1,385 

J. H. Epperson, Rep 1,418 33 

1857. COUNTY JUDGE. 

Thompson, Chandler, Dem 1,213 631 

W. 8. Hail, Rep 579 

COUNTY CLERK. 

Isaac Grantham, Dem ,... 1,296 829 

Daniel Negley, Rep 467 

COUNTY TREASURER. 

J. Knappenberger, Dem l,2'2.i 675 

George B. Calvin, Rep 550 

SURVEYOR. 

Samuel A. Hunt, Dem 1,221 603 

C. A. Gilchrist, Rep 558 

SCHOOL COMMISSIONER. 

Joseph C. Tliompson, Dem 1,217 1,212 

Scattering 35 

1S58. SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 

A. C. French, Dem 1,951 183 

N. Bateman, liep 1,768 

CONORESS. 

I. N. Morris, Dem 1,914 170 

J. Grimshaw, Kep 1,774 

REPRESF.NTATIVE. 

William Berry, Dem 1,9.')7 192 

C. R. Uume, Rep 1,765 

- Bushnell precinct was thrown out by the Board of Canvassers. This precinct gave Banks 87 
and. Hire 29 for Representative. The certificate of election was given to Hire. 



H— 26 



406 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

1858. Vote. Majority. 

SHERIFF. 

F. D. Lipe, T)em I,9fi8 215 

Strader, Kep 1,753 

COKONER. 

J. H. Swigart, Dem 1,911 177 

Neff, Kep l,7i>l 

1859. COUNTY CLEKK. 

J. H. Baker, Dem 1, lifi 480 

J.E. Wyue, Rep 946 

COUNTY TREASURER. 

.John Knappenberger, Dem l,A7i') 576 

Lawrence Nihill, Kep 9U0 

SURVEYOR. 

S. A. Hunt. Dem 1,464 55G 

Thomas Gilmore, Rep 9U8 

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT. 

J. C. Thompson, Dem 1,460 566 

W. E. Withrow, Rep »91 

1860. PRESIDENT. 

John C. Breckinridge, Dem • 6 

John Bell, Union 62 

Abraham Lincoln, Rei) 2,255 

Stephen A. Douglas, Dom 2,266 11 

GOVERNOR. 

James Allen, Dem 2,2SS 

Richard Yates. Rep 2,800 17 

Thomas M. Hope, Dem 4 

CONGRES.S. 

William A. Richardson, Dem 2,284 

iienjamiu M. Prentiss, Rep 2,209 15 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

James D. Walker, Dem 2,071 127 

S. H. McCaudless, Rep 1,944 

STATE'S ATTORNEY. 

Thomas E Morgan, Dem 2,301 12 

.J. R. Gordon, Rep 2,289 

SHERIFF. 

Harvey T. (iagg, Dem 2,251 

iSilas J. Hopper, Rep 2,315 64 

CIRCUIT CLERK. 

William T. Head, Dera 2,289 

J. B. Cummings, Rep 2,300 11 

CORONER. 

F. F. Hatch, Dem 2,251 

Isaac P. Jlonfort, Rep 2,309 58 

1861. DELEGATE TO STATE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. 

J. C.Thompson, Union Dem 1,946 414 

Carter Van Vleck, Rep 1,532 

COUNTY JUDGE. 

Thompson Chandler, Dem 1,923 403 

S. A. Ileudce, Rep 1,520 

COUNTY CLERK. 

Jas. W. Mathews, Dem 1,958 499 

Fred. A. Cruser, Rep 1,459 

COUNTY TREASURER. 

John Knappenberger, Dem 1,943 424 

Henry C. Twymaii, Rep 1,519 

SURVEYOR. 

Samuel A. Hunt, Dem 1,925 385 

James W. Brattle, Rep 1.540 

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT. 

Louis A. Simmons, Dem 1,9'!0 384 

J. W. Blount, Rep 1,546 



IILSTORY OF m'jjONOUGH COUNTY 407 

Vote, Majority. 

1862. ST.\TK TREASl-RER. 

Alexander .Starue, Dem 1,9,54 509 

Wm. Butler, Rep 1,443 

CONGRESSMAN AT LARGE. 

James C. Allen, Dem 1,954 516 

E. C. lugersoU, Rep 1.443 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

L. G. Reed, Dem 1,94.") 503 

Geo. F. Hendrickson, Rej) 1,442 

SHERIFF. 

Amos Dixon, r>em 1,946 499 

Lawreuce Niliell, Rep 1,446 

CORONER. 

Jeremiah Sullivan, Dem l,9r>7 574 

W. K. Scott, Rep 1,443 

1863. COUNTY TKEASUKEU. 

John Knappenberger, Dem 1,837 19 

Socrates Stevens, Rep 1,818 

SCHOOL COM.MISSIONER. 

John Barge, Dem 1,S27 13 

J. C. Reynolds, Rep 1,S14 

SURVEYOR. » 

A.J. White, Dem 1,833 17 

D. C. Folsom, Rep 1,816 

1864. PRESIDENT. 

Abraham Lincoln, Rep 2,145 

George B. McClellan, Dem 2,171 26 

GOVERNOR. 

R. J.Oglesby, Rep 2,157 

Jas. C. Robinson, Dem 2,182 25 

CONGRESS. 

Hugh Fullerton, Rep 2,154 

Lewis W- Ross, Dem 2,180 26 

STATE SENATOR. 

James Strain, Rep 2,1.53 

Henry K. Peffer, Dem 2,181 28 

state's ATTORNEY. 

p. C. Stearns, Rep 2,1.=S1 

T. E. Morgan, Dem 2.182 31 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

Alexander Blackburn, Rep 2,146 .39 

William H. Neece, Dem 2,185 

CIRCUIT CLERK. 

John B. Cummings, Rep 2,ir.7 

John H. Huugate, Dem 2,170 13 

SHERIFF. 

<r. L. Farwell, Rep 2,169 5 

Lewis F. Smith, Dem 2,164 

CORONER. 

James H. Epperson, Rep 2,151 

J. Sullivan, Dem : 2,179 2S 

SURVEYOR. 

James W. Brattle, Rep 2.148 

J. B. Nicklc, Dem 2,176 28 

1865. SURVEYOR. 

J. W. Brattle, Kep 2.126 S 

J. E. Morris, D<^m 2,118 

-SCHOOL COM.MISSIONER. 

D. Branch, Rep 2,102 77 

William Venable 21 

Theodore Kendrick, Dem 2,025 

COUNTY TREASURER. 

AV. H. n. Hftinline, Rep 2,098 35 

J. W. Westfall, Dem 2,06;i 



408 



HISTORY OF M DONOUGH COUNTY. 



1S65. 



Vote. 



COUNTY CLERK. 



William Ervin. Rep 2, 124 

J. N. Chase, Jr., Dem 2,012 

COUNTY .lUDGE. 



Ij. a. Simmons, Rep 2 

William H. Jackson, Dem 2 



1866. 



STATE TREASURER. 



George W. Smith, Rep., 
Jessie PUillips, Dem.... 



Charles E. l^ippinfott. Rep 2 

Lewis W, Ross, Dem 2 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

A. Hanson, Rep 2 

William Berry, Dem 2 

SHERIFF. 

Samuel Wilpon, Rep 2 

F. D. Lipe, Dem 2 

CORONER. 

William W. Head, Rep 2 

Jeremiah ISullivan, Dem 2 

1867. COUNTY TREASURER. 

Sydnor H. Hogan, Dem 2 

Squire A. Epperson, Rep 1 

SURVEYOR. 

S. A. Hunt, Dem 2 

DeWitt C. Folsom, Rep 1 

186S. PRESIDENT. 

Horatio Seymour, Dem 2 

U. S. Grant, Rep 2 

GOVERNOR. 

John R. Eden, Dem 2 

John M. Riilmer, Rep 2 

CONGRESS. 

Thompson McNeely, Dem 1 

Leonard F. Ross, Rep 2 

STATE ATTORNEY. 

L. W. James, Dem 2 

C. II. Sweeney, 'Rep 2 

STATE SENATOR. 

John II. llnnsate, Dem 2 

Isaac MeMauuus, Rep 2 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

TTfMirv W. Kroidor. Dem 2 

Humphrey Ilorral i i, Rep 2 

CIRCUIT CLERK. 

Edgar R. Wright, Dem 2 

lieuj. F. I'iiikley, Rep 2 

SHERIFF, 

Wm. C. McLeod, Dem 2 

John E. Lane, Rep 2 

CORONER. 

Harvy F. Chase, Dem 2 

J. H. Epperson, Rep 2 

18r.9. (OUNTY jud(;e. 

Wm.K. Hendricks, rep 2 

J. B. Nickle, Dem 2 

COUNTY CLERK. 

Jumes H. Provine, Rep 2 

Q. C. Ward, Dem 2 

COUNTY TREASURER. 

Thomas J. Downen, F.ep 2 

S. A. Hunt, Dem „ 2 



Majoritj-, 
112 



088 
006 



7.->:? 
338 



750 
340 



667 
377 



7.=)6 
332 



007 
990 



05.5 
932 



721 
935 



734 
933 



730 
9;J4 



729 

832 



906 



753 
897 



7fi6 

891 



712 
930 



72 i 

920 



288 
449 



338 
392 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 409 

18C9 Vote. Majority. 

SruVEYOR. 

J. \V. Lavvson, Rep 2. .3.54 

W. J. Kdic, Dem ~. 2,38.i 31 

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT. 

D. Branch, Rep 2, 248 

L.H. CopcIand.Dem 2,421 173 

1S70. CONGKESS. 

B. F. WesUake, Rep 2,2S5 

T. W. McNecley, Dera 2,410 125 

.STATE .SENATOR. 

H. S. Senter, Rep 2,28.=> 

B. R. Hampton, Rep 2,2.57 

Thomas B. (^alVen, Dem 2,4C7 122 

John S. Bailey, Dcra _ 2,419 102 

REI'RE.SENTATIVE. 

George R. Moore, Rep 2,249 

William S. Cami>boll, Rep 2,2fil 

AV. H. Neeoe, Dem 2,447 198 

James Manley, Dem 2,403 142 

SHERIFF. 

Charles C. Hays. Rop ^ 2,280 

Thomas M\irray, Dem 2,377 97 

CORONER. 

James H. Epperson, Rep 2.274 

D. W. Campbell, Dem 2,406 1S2 

1871. CONGRESSMAN AT LARGE. 

J. L. Beveridee, Rep 2,395 

Hays, Dem ■ 2, .512 117 

COUNTY TREASURER. 

John E. Lane, Rep 2,271 

Wm. M. Lipe, Dem 2,589 31S 

SURVEYOR. 

J. W. Siders, Rep 2,404 

Jas. Shannon, Dem 2,501 87 

1S72. PRESIDENT. 

T'. S. Grnnt. Rep 2,797 197 

Horace Greeley, L'b 2,ti00 

Charles O" Conor, Dem 14 

GOVERNOR, 

R. J. OKlesby. Rep 2,800 90 

Gustavus Koener, Liberal 2,710 

CONGRESS. 

William H. Rav, R^p 2.720 

William H. Neece, Lib 2,799 79 

STATE SENATE. 

Benjamin R. Hampton. Rep 2,7.55 19 

Moses A. Luce, Lib 2,730 

REPRESENT ATI N B. 

E. K. Westfall, Rep A,i^V< 

W. A. Grant, Rop 4,183}^ 

J. E. Jackson. Lib 4,178'., 

Alpheus Lewis, Lib 3,899 

COUNTY ATTORNEY. 

Crosbv F. Wheat. Rep 2,8.34 166 

John S. Bailey, Lib 2,668 

CIRCUIT Cr.ERK. 

I. N. Pearson, Rep 2,899 275 

James A. Mustain, Lib 2,624 

SHERIFF. 

Samuel Frost, Rep 2,841 .244 

Thomas Murray, Lib 2,597 

CORONER. 

W. R. Pittman, Rep 2,795 76 

Reuben Powell, Lib 2,719 



410 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Voie. Majority. 

1873. COUNTY Jl'DGE. 

James Irwin. Anti-monopoly 2,241 22$ 

Henderson Ritchie, Rep 2,015 

COCNTY CLERK. 

Allen A. Sparks, Anti-monopoly 2,284 19& 

AsaK. Owen, Rep 2,089 

COUNTY TREASURER. 

Anthony Thornton. Anti-monopoly 2,229 184! 

David Brockway, Rep , 2,045 

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT. 

John M. Dunsworth, Anti-monopoly 2.241 172: 

John H. Case, Rep 2,069 

1874. SUPERINTENDENT PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 

William B. Powell, Rep 2,305 2S 

Samuel M. Etter, IJem 2,277 

CONGRESS. 

Henderson Ritchie, Rep , 2,295 44 

John C. Bagby, Dem. and Ind 2,251 

George Meadow 1 

STAtE SEN.'i.TOR. 

John T. Morgan, Rep 2,293 896 

James M. Campbell, Dem 1,407 

Samuel T. i-helton, Ind 8G4 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

C. W. Boydston, Rep 3,390 

John E. Jackson, Dem 4, .321 

A. W. Kfng, Rep 3,449% 

Isaac L. Christy, Ind 2,881>^ 

SHERIFF. 

J. B. Venard, Rep 2,297 938 

Isaac Oakman, Dem 1,3.59 

W. 11. Ledgerwood, Ind 916 

CORONER. 

W, R. Pittman, Rep 2,272 862 

Thomas Cox, Dem 1,410 

Thomas J. Beard, Ind 893 

1875. COUNTY TREASURER. 

J. W. Siders, Rep 2,088 561 

P. Irwin, Dem 1,527 

Anthony Thornton, Ind 422 

SURVEYOR. 

B. F. Howard, Rep 2,130 580 

Wm. J. Edie, Dem 1,550 

Samuel Hunt, Ind 418 

CORONER. 

W. H. Wayland. Rep 2,102 ,534 

J. W. Westfall, Dem 1,.56S 

James Manly, Ind 390 

1876. PRESIDENT. 

Rutherford B. Haves, Rep 2,952 141 

Samuel J. Tilden, Dem 2,811 

Peter Cooper, Ind 347 

GOVERNOR. 

Shelby M. Cullom, Rep 2,958 

I.«wis Stewart, Dem 3,142 18S 

CONGRESS. 

Benj. F. Marsh, Rep 2,955 

John H. Ilungate, Dem 2,838 

I. R. Christie, Ind 313 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

C. W. Boydston, Rep 4,225% 

E. K. Westfall, Rep 4,476 

Charles H. Whitaker, Dem 7,605 

J. L. Epperson, Ind 1,908% 

C:0UNTY ATTORNEY. 

Crosby F. Wheat, Rep 3,016 19S 

Geo. S. Fubr, Dem 2,821 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 411 

1876. Vote. Mujority. 

CIRCUIT CLERK. 

1. N. Pearson, Rep 3,105 440 

N. H.Jackson, Dem 2,665 

L. F. Smith, Ind 339 

SHERIFF. 

Charles C. Hnys.IRep 3,009 226 

Joseph W. Hays, Dem 2,78:5 

Amos Uixou, Ind 305 

CORONER. 

George W. Reid, Rep 2,948 180 

Thomas Cox, Dem 2,708 

W. L. Simpson, Ind 384 



412 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 



EDUCATIONAL. 



Progress in this county is nowhere better illustrated than in 
connection with our public schools. In the early day good schools 
were like " angels visits, few and far between," and it was consid- 
ered very fortunate indeed if an opportunity was offered for 
obtaining even the rudiments of a common school education. A 
person competent to teach the three branches, commonly and sar- 
castically spoken of as the three "lis," "Reading, 'Riting and 
'Rithmetic," could seldom be obtained. Some of the few scat- 
tered settlements could not afford to employ a teacher, and were 
therefore compelled to do without, or send their children through 
the timber or across the prairie to some more fortunate settlement 
where a school was in operation. The writer is personally 
acquainted with some who were sent a distance of six to nine 
miles, walking the entire distance morning and night of each day, 
in order that they might avail themselves of the opportunity of 
acquiring a little knowledge of their mother tongue, and thus fit 
themselves for the duties of life. IIow different now ! In every 
township there are from seven to eleven schools in successful 
operation. Competent teachers are employed, many of whom 
have spent years in fitting themselves for their vocation, and who 
make teaching a profession, by preparing themselves as thorough- 
ly for this work as the lawyer, doctor, or divine are presumed to 
do. 

The description given elsewhere of the old log court house 
will answer for the old-fashioned school house, though, instead 
of two windows, only one was the custom, and that of six lights 
8x10. The school furniture was slab seats for the scholars, a 
three-legged stool and a hazel or birch rod for the teacher. As 
for books, but few were needed, the less the better, as the teacher 



HISTORY OF m'donough county. 413 

could get along the more readily. The walls of the school-room 
were decorated by the artistic hands of the scholars with draw- 
ings of the teacher, instead of being hung with such beautiful 
and instructive maps as are now found in all our school buildings. 
Instead of the beautiful specimens of penmanship now-a-days set 
for our children to copy, teachers were then employed who, in 
many instances, could scarcely write their own names. Alto- 
gether, in the light of to-day, the schools of forty and fifty years 
ago were very dreary aftairs. 

William L. "Woodside has the original agreement made between 
his father, John G. Woodside, and the patrons of his school, 
which will illustrate the ditterence between then and now. The 
following is a copy of said agreement: 

" Articles of agreement made and entered into this first day of April, one thousand 
eight hundred and thirty-five, by and between John G. Woodside of the one part, and 
the undersigned of the other part, both of McDonough county, and State of Illinois. I. 
the above named Woodside, do agree to teach a school in the school house near Levi 
Parent's for the term of six months, five days in each week, or time to that amount. I 
do agree to teach spelling, reading, writing and arithmetic to the best of my skill and 
judgment. I also bind myself to keep good order and pay strict attention to my school. 
And we, the undersigned, do promise to pay the said Woodside for his sei-vices, one dol- 
lar per scholar in money, and three dollars in good merchantable wheat, pork, wool, 
linen, linsey, flax, or work at the market price in this neighborhood, to be delivered at 
said Woodside's house. The pork to be paid at the usual time of killing, the money 
part or other articles to be paid at the expiration of the school. And we, the subscribers, 
do bind ourselves to fix the school house m a comfortable manner. School to commence 
the first of May, or sooner if the subscribers want it. I, the said Woodside, will begin with 
twenty scholars, and any large scholar or scholars that will not submit themselves to the 
rules of said school shall be expelled from said school. And it is to be understood that 
said Woodside is to have the liberty of teaching his own children. If either of the par- 
ties should become dissatisfied, the school can be discontinued at the end of three 
months by the teacher or a majority of the subscribers, either party giving two weeks' 
notice." 

By law the sixteenth section ot every township was to be used 
for school purposes, but there being little or no sale for land, and 
the government price of $1 25 per acre being all that could be 
realized from its sale, the income to be derived from it could 
amount to but little. Subscription schools, therefore, had to be 
depended upon. The first school in Macomb, if not in the county, 
paid for from the public treasury was in 1837, and taught by Miss 
Ellen Overton, who, we believe, still continues to follow the pro- 
fession of teacher. From this time forward the people began to 
avail themselves of the privileges of the school law, but not until 
the last few years was any remarkable progress made. 



414 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

The school statistics ot the county are an interesting study. 
We find there are, under twenty-one years of age, 14,890 per&ons. 
Of these, 10,878 are between the ages of six and twenty-one, or of 
school age. There were enrolled during the past year 8,059 
pu[)ils in tlie various schools, showing that 2,819 or a little more 
than one-fourth of the number of those of school age were kept 
altogether from the schools; but notwithstanding this, there are 
but fourteen females and thirteen males between the ages of twelve 
and twenty-one that are unable to read or write. There are 156 
school houses having a total value of 8160,420. There were raised 
for all school purposes the past year $98,237, of which $55,566 
were paid teachers ; $5,520 for new school houses; repairs and im- 
provements, $4,763 ; school furniture, $1,933; fuel and incidental 
expenses, $6,550 ; for bonds, $6,219 ; interest on bonds, $1,030 ; and a 
sum for other expenses which added to the above will make a 
total expenditure for school purposes of $84,45^, or an average of 
$10.48 for each i:)upil enrolled. The average wages paid male 
teachers outside of Macomb, Bushnell and Prairie City, is about 
$43 per month, and female teachers $33. The highest salary paid 
any male teacher was $135 per month ; the lowest salary, $25. 
The highest paid any female teacher was $50 ; the lowest $20 per 
month. The number of first grade certificates granted during 
1876 were six; of the second grade, 352. There were 721 appli- 
cants for certificates, of whom 416 were females. 

McDonough College. — As early as 1835 a project was set on foot 
for the establishment of a college in this county, showing that 
from the start our people took an interest in the cause of educa- 
tion. A petition signed by a number of the citizens of the county 
was presented to the Legislature at its session of 1835-36, praying 
the passage of an act incorporating an institution to be known as 
McDonough College. The act was passed and approved by the 
Governor January 12, 1836. By this act William W. Bailey, 
Charles Hays, Moses Ilinton, William Proctor, James MeCroskey, 
Joseph G. Walker, George Miller, John M. Walker, Saunders W. 
Campbell and Alexander Campbell were appointed trustees. Not- 
withstanding the early day in which this charter was granted it 
was not until 1851 a full college course was established, though 
for several years a school of high grade was held in the building. 
This building was begun in 1835, immediately after the charter was 
granted, but not completed until the following year. Rev. James 



HISTORY OF iM'dOXOUGH COUNTY. 415 

M. Chase and Rev. Stafford occupied the building for some years 
with a select school, the Schuyler Presbytery, under whose con- 
trol and supervision the college was to be, never feeling warranted 
in reoro-anizino; the college course. In 1848 McGinnis & Banks 
obtained judgment against the trustees of the college for work 
performed on the building, and sold the property to satisfy the 
same, the Masonic Lodge, of Macomb, becoming the purchaser. 
At this time the Grand Lodge of Masons had in contemplation 
the establishment of a Masonic college, and the lodge in Macomb 
thought it advisable to purchase the property and tender it to the 
Grand Lodge, believing it an inducement to locate the college 
in that city. At the annual session of the Grand Lodge that year. 
Dr. J. B. Kyle, in behalf of Macomb Lodge, made a tender of it 
to that body. The offer was declined, the Grand Lodge having 
become satisfied it would be unwise to engage in the undertaking 
it had contemplated. It was then tendered to the Schuyler Pres- 
bytery on condition that that body should establish and maintain 
therein a school of high grade, which f)roposition was accepted. 
A charter for a college, to be known as the McDonougb College, 
was then obtained, the old charter having been forfeited, we be- 
lieve. James M. Chase, William F. Ferguson, William Iv. Stew- 
art, T. S. Yail and W. R. Talbott were made trustees by the said 
charter. The Masonic Lodge of Macomb then nominated Rev. 
Ralph Harris to a professorship in the institution, which action 
was ratified by the Board ot Trustees, on condition that Mr. Har- 
ris would run the school and receive therefor the tuition fees as 
his salary. Mr. H. accepted the ofl'er, and on the first Monday in 
November, 1849, the school was opened, and continued by him for 
about two years, assisted by Miss Ellen Phelps. 

On the eleventh of June, 1851, Rev. William F. Ferguson, D. 
D., was unanimously elected by the Board of Trustees as Presi- 
dent of the College, at a salary of $700 per year, he to enter upon 
the discharge of his duties the beginning of the next term, in Sep- 
tember following. A full college course was decided upon, and 
the following faculty chosen : Rev. William F. Ferguson, D. D., 
President, and Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy, Politi- 
cal Economy, and Evidences of Christianity; Rev. Ralph Harris, 
A. M., Professor of Languages ; Thomas Gilmore, Tutor. 

Mr. Ferguson, as President, took charge of the college in Sep- 
tember, 1851, but was not formally inaugurated until March, 1852. 
During the first year there were enrolled 138 students in all the 



41G HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

departments, showing a fair degree of prosperity. Prof. Fergu- 
son continued to act as president up to the daj of his death, 
which occurred on the fifteenth day of March, 1853. Rev. Ralph 
Harris was then appointed president ad interim until the regular 
meeting of the Board of Trustees, and Jaraes W. Matthews, 
teacher. At this regular meeting Mr. Matthews was elected Pro- 
fessor of Mathematics and Rev. Ithamer Pillsbury, President. It 
being impossible for Mr. Pillsbury to accept at once, Rev. John 
C. King was appointed President mi interim. Mr. King entered 
upon the discharge of his duties, and continued to act until Mr. 
Pillsbury^ assumed charge a few months after. Under Mr. Pills- 
bury's administration the college prospered somewhat for a while, 
but the Synod of the Presbyterian Church refusing to help the 
institution, as had been expected, it was found utterly impossible 
to sustain it; so in 1855 it was closed and the building and grounds 
reverted to the Masons, and thus ended what ought to have been 
an honorable and useful institution in McDonough county. 

Prairie City Academy. — This institution was organized by special 
charter in the year 1859, in the village of Prairie City, with Prof. 
Daniel Branch as Principal, and Mrs. S. F. W. Branch, Assistant. 
For six years Mr. and Mrs. Branch conducted the school in an 
able manner, graduating quite a number of young gentlemen and 
ladies. The attendance during this time was quite large, and the 
school was held in just pride by the citizens of that place. In 
1865, Professor and Mrs. Branch resigned their positions in order 
to move to Macomb, Mr. Branch having been elected County Su- 
perintendent of Public Schools, and 'desiring to open an office at 
the county seat. Prof. Weige succeeded in charge of the school. 
It was continued for about four years longer with failing fortunes, 
and finally went down, the building being sold to the town, and 
is now used for common and high school purposes. 

3IcDonough. Normal and Scientific College. — In 1865 a charter was 
obtained from the Legislature of the State for the organization of 
the above named institution in the city of Macomb. The old col- 
lege property, situated in the northeast part of the city, was then 
owned by Dr. B. R. Westfall, a gentleman whose heart is enlisted 
in the cause of education, and who sold the same to Prof. 1). 
Branch at a sacrifice, on condition that a school of high grade 
should be kept in operation therein for ten years. An arrange- 
ment was then eflectcd between Mr. liranch and the trustees oi 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 417 

the newl}' chartered college by which the school was to be carried 
oil under the charter obtained. This was the beginning of the 
McDonough Xormal and Scientific College, which has now been 
in operation for eleven years, and which generally has had a fair 
degree of pros[)erity. Owning the building and grounds, and also 
using the same as a home, the expenses of the institution have been 
light, the receipts from tuition being sufficient to carry on the 
work without the aid of an endowment fund. Mr. and Mrs. 
Branch have toiled hard to make the school worthy the patron- 
age of the citizens of McDonough county, and if their success has 
not been such as might be expected by the outside world, the 
reason is certainly apparent to all thinking persons. Some twenty 
gentlemen and ladies have graduated here, and are now occupy- 
ing honorable positions in life. 

A word to the citizens of McDonough with respect to this insti- 
tution. An opportunity is here offered to build up a college that 
will De your just pride. Mr. and Mrs. Brancb are willing to dis- 
pose of the property on reasonable terms to any religious body or 
private corporation that will take hold and continue the work so 
well begun by them. Surrounded by the best agricultural region 
in the State, with abundance of wealth, and with an increasing 
population, a first-class college could easily be sustained. Let the 
effort be made. 

Macomb Femaie Seminary. — Established in 1852, and continued 
lor but a short time. 

ELDORADO TOWNSHIP. 

The schools of this township are np to the standard. Tha buildings, as a class, are 
good, perhaps equal to any in the county. From the statistics given by townships, in 
regard to receipts and expenditures for school purposes for the year 1876, it will be seen 
that Eldorado falls much below that of any other township. Ordinarily, the school ex- 
penses of Eldorado are as much as any other township, but for 1876 the assessor failed 
to make such returns as were necessary to collect school taxes. There were, however, 
three districts properly reported which includes the amount given in the table. 

School Dihij-ict ^o. 1. — The school house stands upon the northeast corner of sec- 
tion 11. It is valued at $700. Until 1872, this district was two miles and a Jialf long, 
north and south. At that time districts 1 and 6 were divided, forming 1, 6, and 7, as now 
known. The directors are Austin Bowman, Samuel J. Foster, and James H. Bowles. Ja- 
cob Bailey taught during the winter of 1876-77. and Miss Luella Kimble during the sum- 
mer of 1877. 

District No. '2. — The school building is located on the southeast corner of section 4. 
It is worth but about $1.50. There is a move being made to procure a fund for the erec- 



418 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGU COUNTY. 

tion of a new building. G. H. Mershon, .John Corbitt, and William Beckwith, directorn. 
Hammond Herron taught during the winter of 187(3-77. and Miss Jennie Bailey during 
the summer of 1877. 

Didrict No. 3. — The school house stands on the southwest corner of section 5, and 
is worth about $400. The directors are Isaac Chandler, Henry Hushaw, and I. W. Dai- 
ley. Miss Ida Bowman was employed to teach the summer school of 1877, and M. S. 
Arnold for the winter of 1876-77. 

Bhtrict No. 4. — The school building which is valued at f 200, is located upon the 
northeast corner of section 19. W. li. Remmington, Thomas Lawyer, and W. C. Stand- 
ard, are the present directors. Frank Lawyer taught the winter of 1870-77, and Miss 
Mary Ausbury during the summer following. 

Disfrirt No. T). — The school house of No. .5 stands on the northwest corner of section 
22. It is a good frame building erected in 1809, at a cost of .f 1,500 ; it is now valued at 
!$1,000. It is 24x30. This school is familiarly known as "Sixteen." The present Direc- 
tors are Henry S. Leighty, Louis Bottenburg, and A. J. Herron. Mark Leighty taught 
during the winter of 1876-77, and Mary Askew, the summer of 1877. 

District No. 6. — The school house of this district was erected in 1872, at a cost of 
$800, It is on the southeast corner of section 14. Henry Lambem, William Kimble, 
and Abraham Liggett, are the Directors. Miss Mary Mathewson taught the first term 
•of school in the present building, Hattie Campbell taught during winter of 1876-77, and 
Miss Sarah Sweeney during the summer of 1877. 

Dixtrirt No. 7. — The school building was built in 1875 ; value, $700. It is located on 
the northwest corner of section 36. The present Directors are : F. O. Harvey, Charles 
Dennis, and John O'Herron. Hardin Haines taught the winter term of 1876-77, and 
Miss Eliza Sweeney during the following summer. 

District No. 8. — The school house stands upon the south-west quarter of section 27 ; 
value $2.')0. S. 11. Musgrove. John Snowden, and John Nelson, are the directors. The 
ieacher during the winter of 1876-77 was John Adams; summer following, Miss Maud 
Beamer. 

District No. 9. — This house was erected in 1875 ; value $750. E. H. Stockton, Jacob 
Lawyer, and William Bryant, directors. Maxwell Ksnnady taught during the winter of 
1876-77, and Miss Lizzie Askew during the summer. 

NEW SALEM TOWNSHIP. 

The first school building erected in this township was built in 1849, on the northwest 
corner of section 25, on the farm of Joseph Lownes, and remained standing until 1867. 
The first directors were Daniel Harris. A. W. Russell, and J. Low^les. 

In 1846 the township was divided into three school districts, as follows: A line through 
the center north and south, and the east half equally divided east and west. In 1852 the 
west half was divided into two districts. In 1857 all lines were annulled and the town- 
ship divided into nine districts of equal size, two miles square. The three school houses 
then standing were sold at public auction by Joseph Lownes, the township Treasurer. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 419 

Fairciew, Distrirt No. 2 — A school house was moved to the present site in 1858. A 
new building, one with all the modern improvements, was erected in 1870 at a cost of 
$1,4.50. It is 24x8(>. It is located on the southeast corner of section 4. The following 
are the names of the directors that have served: P. E. Wilson, John liutledge, James Port- 
lock, J. E. Porter, J. H. Epperson, Norman Millington, A. Hanson, William Lance, Kob- 
«rt Katledge, J. P. Wilt. Wai. B. Swang ), Petar llicliard?on, B. Donelson. Teachers — 
Jane Hartford, Samantha Harris, Truman S^iears, John L. Ej^person, J. N. Porter, E 
W. Ford, Linda llabinsan. Miss C. Porter, H. A. Minn, Jo.-ieph Sanders, Miss Burchfleld, 
Eli Brown, Lou. Huston, Sue Parks, A. W. Clark, Mary Elwell. 

District No. 5. — About the year 1855 a log house was moved from Fulton county and 
placed on the northeast corner of section 22, now owned by Emory Lownes. In this 
building four term? of school ware taught, by the following teachers : li. C. Porter, 
William Hamm.ond, Allen Yaple, and Elizabeth Miller. On the districts of the town- 
ship being divided, in 1854, the school was discontinued, and the log house sold at public 
auction for $20. Among the directors that have served are : Simon Pontious, Lyman 
Porter, Joseph Porter, J. H. Epperson, Reuben Porter, Thomas Seaburn, J. Wisler, J. 
Beedy, and D. B. Gregory. The following are the teachers : R. Porter, Gertrude Hughes, 
William Frame, Annie Guild, Charles Wilkins, J. A. Porter, Marion Dickey, Lucy Mer- 
rill, J. M. Case, Annie Gill, Lauretta Waters, J. C. Moore, Mr. McKLnney, Louisa Taylor, 
Xiou Huston, Annie Porter, G. H. Closson, Lena Richardson. 

Sumtyiit, District No. 7. — The school building is located on the southwest corner of 
section 25, and was erected immediately after the township was re-districted in 1857. It 
ia a small frame house, and cost about $750. 

District No. 9. — The school house of this district stands on the southeast corner of 
section 30. It is a small frame, built about the year 1859. Among the directors com- 
posing the board of this district from time to time were : Edward Woods, W. L. Pen- 
dell, S. F. Hammer, Merrilla A. Woods, W. A. Griffin, and B. Staley. 

MOUND TOWNSHIP. 

District No. 2. — This district was organized in 1861, and directors elected the same 
year. Previous to this, the territory was united to the Bardolph District. The school 
house was erected in 1862, at a cost of $.350. Among the directors were David Kepple, 
John W. Booth, James W. Jackson, A. C. Fleming, J. I. Gardner, James Kepple, Wil- 
liam J. Jackson. Teachers — J. W. Sparks, T. L. Kendrick, Mary J. Evans, John Weath- 
ers, A. J. McCaner, John Hopwood, Emma Walker, T. L. Matchett, B. S. Hogland, 
Robert Work, A. Baea, J. Miller, Miss Campbell, W. Porter, Taylor Kirkpatrick, Ella 
Walker. 

White IIiiU, District No. ?>. — This district was organized in 1854, its school being held 
in a small house until 1864, when the present building was erected at a cost of $481 95. 
The same year the district was equally divided east and west making district 3 and 
10. H. Fortner, G. W. Lemaster, J. M. Boaz, Samuel Lance, William Crawford, G. 
W. Solomon, Samuel Steel, J. W. Brock, G. W. Hutchins, Adam Lance, John Rose, were 
among the directors. Among the teachers were J. S. Kirby, Mary Harper, Mary J. Brock, 



420 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

J. Beam, Eliza Bozley, Elizabeth McConnell. R. N. Porter, Lucy M3rrill, A. S. Hopwood, 
Helen Sperling, Miss C. Bozley, Melvina Fortner, S. H. Ilemniington, Mary Derby, C. 
F. McDonough, G. W. Porter. Maggie Culcumber, V. A. Treudley, Joseph Sanlers, James 
Ross. 

Dititrict No. 4. — Previous to 1855. school was held in Edward Dyer's hou^e. In that 
year a frame house 22x;50 feet was erected at a cost of $325. The present building, a 
good frame, was built in 1801), at a cost of •$1,200, and is 22x3G feet in size ; it is located 
on section 22. The following named are among the directors that have served : E. Dyer, 
Joseph Melvin, A. J. Fleming, D. Hager, William A. Andsrson, C. H. Boaz, Elias 
Beaver, J. M. Holmes, Ross Manly, Amos Hipsley, J. Scott, William Work. Among the 
teachers were W. H. Green, E. T. Neal, J. H. Emory, George Hardy, Giles Green, Miss 
M. L. Carter, J. N. Wick, T. J. Kirkpatrick, James B. Forresman, D. C. Brenneman, Ed- 
ward Shannon. 

Cottonwood, District No. 6. — Building located in the northeast corner of section 33. 
It was erected in 1856, and enlarged in 1877. Among the directors that have served 
were : Ross Manly, Joseph Mukey, Richard Ret ms, James Updegraff, Thompson Allen, 
R. Welch, J. W. Sheeley. Isaac Sheeley. Among the teachers are : Mary Hipsley, Lyda 
Rutledge. James Thompson, Martha Carter, Alice A. Rankin, Maria Porter, Amanda 
Cronover. 

LaiKjsfonl, District No. 7. — The school house was moved from the New Philadelphia 
district to its present location, the southwest corner of section 25. in 1863. The size of the 
building is 20x24 feet. Among the directors that have served are the following named 
persons : C. Dunlap, John R. Post, Joseph Shannon. A. Switzer. J. A. Langsford, Henry 
Ellison, William M. Mercer, James F. Richards, A. K. Brown, R. Butler, H. W. Sheets, 
A. Shannon, James Dorr, Daniel Wetsel, B. F. Mumma, L. A. Lybarker, S. A. Stewart, 
H. Lindsey. Those teaching were : Eliza Bozley, Mollie R. Smith, Clementine Lownes, 
A. K. Brown, Mary E Shannon, Lena Richardson, C. C. Cooper. O. Cunningham, Delia 
Milton, W. N. Campbell, L. Barker, Isaac Holmes. 

District No. 8. — Building located on section 2. District was organized in 1860, and 
the house erected the same year at a cost of $600, its size being 20x26 feet. The first 
directors were : John Crowel, Moses Wilson, and William Cox. The present ones are : 
G. A. Cadwallader, B. P. Nebergall, and Samuel Clark. The following are the names of 
the teachers : Mary Harper, John Miner, Tillie Gurney, William Spark, Ettie Moore, 
Etha Harlan, James Fortner, Mary Cochrane, Hardy Robinson, Lavina Tainter, Albert 
Beem, W. S. Wortman, Jane Walters, Perry Cooper, Helen Sperling, Alice Throckmorton, 
Charles West, Willis A. Boughner, J. W. Sanders, Lena Richardson, D. C. Brenneman, 
Emma Sperling. 

District No. 1). — The building is situated on section 10, and was erected in 1864 at a 
cost of $800 ; size 22x32 feet. The year previous school was taught in a dwelling near 
the present house. Those that have served as directors are : Clark Sperry, T. Spei ry, 
R. A. Aldams, S. McConnell, William Stephens. George Humphrey, Paxton Moore, W. 
H. Culp, H. H. Nance. Those teaching are : Mr. Gapin. A. Beam, J. Wick, S. Bonlill, 
Hattie Woodman, Sarah Sperling, Vina Crownover. 



HISTORY OK m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 421 

BUSHNELL TOWNSHIP. 

Maple Hill. District No. 1. — The building is located on the southeast corner of sec- 
tion 26 : its size is 18x30 feet ; value if^^fiO. There are fifty scholars in the district, with 
an attendance of thirt}'. Among the directors that have served are : L. T. Scott, Wil- 
liam H. Cowperthwaite, Darius Jones. J. Havens. The teachers are : J. T. Spear. Emma 
Sperling, Mary M. Scott, Maggie Brice. 

District No. 2. — This district was organized in 1861). House was built in 1870, at a 
cost of $700. It is 16x24. There are twenty-eight scholars in the district, and an aver- 
age attendance of twenty-five. Average salary f 28 jjer month. J. M. Devore, J. W. Neg- 
ley, John Serbert, Jacob Smith, Albertson Moore, and J. C. Cadwallader, have served 
as directors, and as teachers the following named persons : L. S. Mills, Lizzie Brown, 
Mattie Cadwallader, Louis Hover, liosa Stearns. 

District No. 3. — The school house was erected in 1864, and is situated on section 28. 
The size of the building is 18x30, and its cost $700. Among the directors serving are : 
Thomas Pearce, D. A. McDonald, D. N. Simmons. John Lesher. Among the teachers 
are : Daniel Hagaman, Emma McKenney. 

PKAIBIE CITY AND BUSHNELL TOWNSHIPS. 

Union District No. 4. — School building located on the northeast corner of section 19, 
and erected in 1875 at a cost of $1,0.''>5 ; size, 22x30 feet. The district was organized in 
1867. There are fifty scholars in it, and thirty in attendance in school. J. C.Cline, "Wil- 
liam A. Posey, James Black, James Fannihill, John Fees, and Enoch Hall have been the 
directors serving, while among the teachers were : Mrs. Josie Hurst, Mary L. Etewart, 
Miss McKiimey. 

Union District No. 5. — This district was organizedin 1867 and building erected, which 
was destroyed by fire. The present one was erected in 1875 at a cost of $1,100; size, 22 
x30 feet. In the district are forty-five scholars, with thirty attending school. The fol- 
lowing named are among the directors : Orin Mariner, E. Hovenden. J. W. Hays, C. F. 
Long, C. W. Vandever, D. Brown, and J. N. Devore. Among those teaching were : 
Seeley Mariner, George S. Doughty, and Amanda Burchfield. 

Union Dixtrict No. 6. — The school building is located on the northeast corner section 
24. The directors at present are : Adam Long, Benjamin Coleman, and James Bricker. 
Among those teaching in this district were : K. H. Smith, Lucretia Bird, and Mr. Nick- 
erson. 

PRAIKIE CITY TOWNSHIP. 

District No. 1. — School house in Prairie City. [See Prairie City.] 
Enionj. District No. 2. — This district was organized in 1856 and the building erected 
the same year. Its size 18x24 feet and present value $100. The house is situated on 
the southeast corner of section 4. There are twenty-five scholars in the district, an 
average atttendance of twelve or fifteen in school. The average salary of the teachera is 
$30. Wesley Cope, Henry Perley, S. S. Stearns, WiUiam L. Sheafif, William Cope, 
William King, and Francis T. Emory have served as director-. The first teacher was 
II— -27 



422 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

Mrs. Henry Peash', who has been succeeded by the following named jjersons: Jennie 
Nesselrode, Emma Fisher, Morna Moore, Ella Walter, Rosa Stearns. 

Dintrict iV'«. 3. — The building is located on the southeast comer of section IG, and is 
24x;->0 feet. The average salary of teachers is f!3r>. The present directors are John 
Arter, Josei)hGary, and 'Squire Logston. Miss Ella Paxtou teacher for 1870. 

INDUSTRY TOWNSHIP. 

Difstrid Xo. 1. — Building in the town of Industry; its value, $2,000. Directors, H. C. 
Sullivan, S. 11. Martin and J. F. Mosser. Teachers for 1876: Principal, H. M. Towner; 
Assistants, Miss Ella Kenyon and Miss F. M. Baymiller. Izi this district are 198 scholars. 

District Ifo. 2. — Building located on the northwest quarter of section 8, and is valued 
at $500. There are 40 scholars in District; J. L. Kirkiiatrick and Wm. Kinkade, direc- 
tors; Miss Fannie Baker, teacher for 187G. 

Unitldc, District No. 3 — This district was organized in 18f)0, and a school building 
erected the same year at a cost of $700; it is a frame building, 18x28, and located on 
section 28. There are 20 scholars in the district, with an average attendance of ten. The 
average salary of teachers is $30 per month. The district is two miles wide and three 
miles long. The following are among those serving as directors : Darius llunkle, R. C. 
Clugston, H. B. Smiley, Samuel Clugston and Walter McGaughy. The following are the 
names of the teachers since 186(5 : Alice Norton, Rachel Clugston, Chas. Imes, Isaac M. 
Martin, Murray Ritchie, Lucinda Wheat, Rinda Hamilton, Ann Pollock, Luther Crail, 
Thomas Maxwell and Bell Hathaway. 

Pleamnit Grove, District No. 4. — The school building is situated in the southwest 
■quarter of section 26, and was erected in 1858 at a cost of $610 ; size, 20x30 feet ; pres- 
-ent value $200 ; 80 scholars in district, 25 in attendance ; average salary of teachers, $35 
per month. Among the various directors serving from time to time are : J. J. Wyatt, W. 
Wilhelmes, James Greenwell, W. L. Springer and W. B. Peck. Teachers, Thomas L. 
Maxwell, F. P. Lawyer, M. F. Broodwell. 

District No. 5. — The school house of this district is situated on the northeast quarter 
of section 17, and is worth $300. In the district are sixty scholars. Directors for 1876: 
Andrew Anstine and E. P. Munson. Miss Rella Deeker, teacher. 

District No. 6. — This district was organized in 1860, and the same year the present 
school building was erected on the southeast corner of section 4. It is a good frame 
and worth about $300. The first directors were : William C.McKamy, David Cox, and 
Orsamus Farrington ; the i^resent ones are : Columbus Gibson, John McGoughy, and 
James Lawyer. 

District No. 7. — School building is situated on the northwest quarter of section 12 : 
is a good frame valued at $400. Directors for 1876 : Ebenezer Vail, and David Bruner. 
Teacher — Romanus Beaver. There are thirty-five scholars in this distrct. 

Dixie, District No. 8 — This district was organized in 1864 and the school building 
erected on section 23 the same year. The size of the building is 24x30 feet. Present 
value $400. There are thirty-four scholars in the district, with twenty-five in attend- 



HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGII COUNTY. 423 

aiice. Among the directors having served are Hugh Wilson, Dr. M. M. Clark, J. Horke- 
roder, J. W. Miller, C. 11. Shannon, W. S. Pile, and J. V. Wilson. Among those teaching 
are W. S. Pile, Jane Cannon, James Gregg, and Ross Mikey. 

Black, District No. 9. — The school house of this district is located on the southeast 
corner of section 30, and was built in 1867 at a cost of $1,400; size 26x28 feet. In the 
district are seventy-five scholars, with an average attendance of twenty-five. The dis- 
trict is l}.i miles wide by 2]^ miles long. The following have served as directors: Wil- 
liam Black, K. L. Dark, O. C. Crossen, Edgar Burnham, and James Stott. WiUiam 
Lucas taught first school. Clem. White taught in 1876. 

SCOTLAND TOWNSHIP. 

Croicii Point, 111' strict Ko. 1. — This district was organized April 21, 18.")6, at a meet- 
ing held at the residence of John Upp. A small frame house was erected the same year. 
The district increased in wealth and population so rapidly that they were compelled to 
erect a new building, which they did in 1874, on the site of the old one, and at a cost of 
!*1,469. The present building is supplied with all the modern school furniture, and is 
of itself a model of beauty and convenience. It is located on section 1. Directors that 
have served are: Green Lane, S. S. Chapman, T. Langhlin, D. M. Hammer, John Vpi^, 
John Watson, James Savage, Josiah McDonald, John Foreman, Alexander Watson. S. N. 
Throckmorten, J. Knight. The following named were teachers: Le\a W. Elliott, Jacob 
Randolph, David Blazer, Kate Sabin, O. F. Kolar, H. C. Maxwell, Minnie Winfield, Kettie 
liobeiis, W. K. Scott, Emma _ Kautz, Miss S. P. Walker, Maria Cannon, James Hess, C. 
Bonfield, John J. Miller, Francis Dierdoff, J. B. Russell, Laura Phelps, C. L. Miller, 
Flora Newcomb, Lena Richardson, John Griswold, Rosa Kirkpatrick, J. A. Doran, A. 
Beem, Mary Norris, Charles Imes, Jennie Blazer and Albert Beem. 

Maple G mve, District No. 2. — Building situated on section 4. District organized in 
April, 18.")6. During the first j-ear school was held in a log dwelling on a knoll about one- 
half mile west of the i^resent building, called Mount Nebo. In 1857 a good frame build- 
ing was erected, which, on the first of March, 1868, was burned. In the same year 
another house was erected at a cost of f 1,500 : size, 24x32. The following are the names 
of all the directors and teachers that have served : J. H. Swigart, T. M. Fox. Edmond 
Polk, Isaac Haines, O. S. Thayer, John Crane, M. Bash, II. Dremch, John Blackburn. 1\. 
H. Pierce, John Mitchell, John Barclay, B. F. Gloyd, Thomas Adcock, Hyman Morrison, 
Ellis Crane, Abner Jones, directors. T. McMahan, Levi Elliott, Mr. Griffith, W. W. 
Porter, Kate Sabin, L. Smith, Priscilla Hogue, R. Adcock, L. Ready, William, Lucas, 
Emma Bliss, J. W. Bugg, J. Wash, E. Winter, Miss Wood, Berry Ream, AUie Ervin, Clay 
Agnew, Ella Scudder, Archey McCandless, Marj- Taylor, W. S. AVortman, Flora Nev.comb. 
Harvey Shannon, Ella Fulton, teachers. 

District No. 3. — School building located on the southeast corner of section 6 ; is a 
good frame structure, valued at $(500. The directore are, W. W. Taylor, Samuel Frost 
and Dr. B. R. Westfall. H. C. Lucas taught during the winter of 1876-77. 

District No. 4. — The school house stands on the northwest corner of section 20,and is 
valued at $300. J. L. Smith, William Fry, and Robert McNair are directors : teacher 
for the year 1876, Sarah Allison. 



424 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Dltitrirt Xo. 5. — This district has a good frame school house, and is knowu as "Center 
School.'" The building is on the southeast corner of section 10. The directors are, S. C. 
Knight, Cyrus Townley and David Pearce ; teacher, W. S. Wortman. 

Union, District No. n — District organized and building erected m 1857 : house located 
on section 13 ; was built at a cost of $700. J. M. Kexroat, AlphGray and Lewis Wooley 
were the first dii-ectors, Alfred Gray taught the first school ; Edgar Bolles taught five 
successive terms. 

District JSfo. 7. — The school building is located on the southeast corner of section 2G ; 
it is valued at $500. The directors are, Samuel E. Jones, John Thomas and Z. J. 
Wooten: teacher for 1876-77, Gertrude Decker. 

District JVo. 8. — The school house stands on the northeart corner of section .S3, and is 
valued at $G00. The directors are, James Clark, Leonard Odenweller and John C.Moore ; 
the teacher for 187G-77 was John Odenweller. 

Dititrirt Ko. 9. — Building situated on the southwest corner of section 29. District 
was organized in April 1847. A building 18x28 was then erected, one-half mile south of 
the present one. In 18G3 they moved into their new building. The directors that have 
served in this district are named : T. Allison, J. M. Walker, William J. Pace, G. W. Pro- 
vine, John Kinkade, W. Knowles, J. Sullivan, James Walker, C. Blazer, J. Vance, John 
Provine, II. Knowles, A. J. Pace. J. Moore, J. Norville, James Allison. 

MACOMB TOWNSHIP. 

District No. 1. — District organized in 1866, and the house moved from District No. 2, 
to its present location on the northwest quarter of section 12, the same year. Directors : 
S. C. Decker, James Boyd, Andrew Brandt, A. B. Markham, J. B. Kohule, J. Rowels, J. 
C. Davis, T. B. Martin. J. B. Bricker, J. T. Parvin. Teachers— Mollie Smith, Hannah 
Parvin, Aggie Hasting, Tillie Moore, Martin Hoagland, Henry McElvain. Ella Mark- 
ham, Taylor Kirkham, Mary Plowman, Miss Arthur. 

Mount Solon, District No. 2. — Building located on the northeast quarter of section 
10, and erected in 1866, at a cost of $1,080. It is 24x88. In 1865, District No. 7 was 
divided, making districts number 1, and 7. In 1867, No. 7 was changed to No. 2. Direc- 
tors — Mattison Irwin, L. H. Shriner, Abraham Switzer, D. L. Randolph, Enos Spangler, 
A. L. Bryan, H. H. McElvain, Foster Dobbins, Jacob Spangler, Durham Harris. Teach- 
ers — Mary R. Smith, Lizzie Runkle, B. R. Hoagland, J. G. Scroggs, Sadie Parker, Will- 
iam Black, C. Hamilton, William N. Porter. Miss Hamilton, O. C. Miller. Marshall McEl- 
vain, Nelson Knowlton, Delia Milton. 

District No. 3. — This district is consolidated with District No. 8, Walnut Grove town- 
ship. 

Mount Pleasant or CrabJi, District No. 4. — District organized, directors elected, and 
house built in 1868. Building located on section 16 ; cost, $375 : size, 20x24 feet. The 
following are the names of all the directors since 1858, and also the teachers : I. N. Van- 
meter, B. R. Hampton, George Upp, D. M. Crabb, Dr. G. I. Cowgill, H. B. Webb, A. J. 
Hawkins, Charles Philbert, S. P. Foreman, W. D. Bevins, N. Owens, Samuel Agnew, 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 425 

William Kunkle, directora. Mary Spangler, Ruf us Spangler, George Litzenberg, Caroline 
Spangler, D. M. Spangler, I. N. Vanmeter, P. Davis, Addie Rogers, C. H. Black, William 
Stouton, Annie Shaw, Malinda Robinson, Annie Crabb, Nannie Lyon, George Fuhr, Sarah 
Vanmeter, Ella Thompson, N. Lewis, teachers. 

Union, Dixtrict iV't». 5. — This district is composed of portions of Macomb and Emmet 
townships, and has in it two buildings, one located in section 1, of Emmet, and one in 
section 18. of Macomb. Both were erected in IH.'SG at a cost of $8-10 each. Previous to 
this a log house, that stood on the Laughlin place, was used. The following are the 
names of the present directors, as well as some of the former ones : A. H. Brooking, 
Adam Munger, G. Chaplin, J. R. Wallingford, Silas Creel, Firman Casto, W. F. Brook- 
ing, W. B. Cui-tis, James Statler, William Stickle, J. W. Arnold. Among the teachers are 
the following : Mary Spangler, James Munger, Eva Riley, Cynthia Ratekin, Mary Decker. 

Pleasant 11 ill, District No. 6. — School house situated on the southwest quarter of 
section 23. District organized and house elected in 1855, at a cost of $300. The year 
previous to this Miss Louisa Westfall taught in a log house some distance southeast of 
the present building. In" 1866 a new house was erected at a cost of $1,650: its size is 
26x36. Miss Sarah Westfall taught the first term in the old house. The average salary 
of teachers is $35 per month. The following are the names of the dii-ectors since the 
organization and also of the teachers : Directors — J. H. McCandless, O. M. Hoagland, 
Reuben Smith, George Booth, J. D. Curry, G. H. Cogswell, David HoUer, Lamont Orr, 
E. K. Westfall, Frank Perrine, A. Harris, Bigger Head, J. S. McNelley, J. M. Archer, G. 
J. Booth, Z. T. Pai-vin, G. F. Cm-ry, Robert EUison, W. H. Leighty, William Edmondson. 
Teachers— Sarah Westfall, Mahala Pelly, Warren Porter, J. A. James, T. ?. Clarke, Miss 
E. V. Kyle, G. W. Hammond, Nannie Eaton, Phebie A. Dickerson, E. K. Westfall, J. C. 
Rahe, Mollie E. Hoagland, Hibernia Reinwold, R. S. Davis, E. B. Walker, Lettie R. 
Stowell, S. J. Park, Lou T. Huston, W. H. Black, Anna Porter, J. M. Vincent. Frank 
Westfall, George Switzer, A. Been, Kate Elting. 

Bardolph, Di»tri<t, No. 7. — This district was organized several years ago, and about 
1860 a good frame school house was erected in Bardolph. The school building now oc- 
cupied is in the town of Bardolph, and is a good two-story frame structure, containing 
four rooms, and was built in IST-l. The present directors, the first board under the new 
organization, are, Columbus Hathaway, Robert Work and T. A. Jackson. 

Wiley, Diitti'irt No.S. — The present building'was erected in the summer of 1877, and 
is provided with all the modern improvements ; it is 26x36, and cost about $1,300 ; the 
school house is located on the northeast corner of section 34. Previous to the erection of 
this building a school house stood on the same lot and was built in 1863 at a cost of $731 ; 
this was sold at public sale in 1877 for $70. Average salary of teachers, .$35 per month ; 
verage attendance, 23 ; those that have served as directors are, William H. Rile, George 
Booth, John S. Martin, C. W. DaUam, A. D. McBride, J. S. SchoU, John Wiley, Sam. Pol- 
lock, Albert Mosler, Samuel Kelso, Albert Huston and Joseph Parks ; teachers that have 
taught are, Cynthia Polk, Miss A. M. Case, Miss McCandless, Wm. Bell, Miss Dickison, 
Jermie Treudley. Miss E. A. Guy, Ella Walker. Annie Clarke, Lizzie Rile, C. Hamilton, W. 



426 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

S. Wortman, Mr. Cunningham, G. W. Simpson, Mr. Miller, Albert Beer, Ella Gloj-d, 
Dordia Rile, \Vm. Porter, Luella Kimble and Charles Imes. 

Ilarmonu, District Ifo.9. — This District was organized in 18G3. and a house, 24x2& 
built the same year at a cost of f^470 ; it is located on section 2d. The following are the 
directors that have managed the school since 1808 : George Fuhr, E.L. llandolph, Isaac 
Cline, T. Knapp, D. Maguire, S. 11. Gloyd and A. G. Black. Teachers : Theodore Knapp, 
Miss B. Knapp, Annie Shaw, Jennie Treudley, HeUen Ferguson, Wm. Knapp, Amanda 
Updegraff, "Wilson McCandless, Edmonia Phelps, Lula Terry. 

WALNUT GEOVE. 

Distrirt ly'o. 1. — House moved to its present location, northwest corner of section 12, 
in 1863; size 24x28; value f 200. The following are the present directors : D. B. Keith,. 

Hittle, Henry Mariner. Among the teachers have been Hattie Kellough, Charles 

Mariner, and Sarah McDonald. 

Lociiftt Grove District No. 2. — District organized in 18G3; building erected the fol- 
lowing year: size 18x24: present value $200: located on the southeast corner of section 4. 
The average salary of teachers is $35 per month. Among the directors are the follow- 
ing: William Griggs, Warner Tracy, G. W. Buckner, W. W. Shoop, Henry Young, Wil- 
liam Tracy. Among the teachers are Robert Griggs, James Bugg, Arch Neal, Henry 
Painter, Minnie Matthews, Jane Morey. 

Hollow Hill, District JVo. 3. — District organized in 18(J3; house built in 18()4; size 
20x30; value $250; location northeast corner of section 7. There are twenty-nine schol- 
ars in this district and an average attendance of 16. Among the directors that have 
served this district are E. A. Campbell, D. A. Vanice, Henry Graham, William J. Edie. 
B. F. Swain, John Cochrane, George B. Sanders, George W. Stanley. The following are 
the names of some of the teachers that have taught in this district: Priscilla Waddle,. 
Annie Hamilton, Charles True, William Wilcoxen, Charles Greenup, Annie Hurl, James 
Campbell, Mrs. Emma McDonald, Alexander Campbell, Caroline Yance, Libbie Harris, 
Rachel Hobel. 

IIi(riissic, District No. 4. — This school district was organized August 10, 1803, and a 
house built on the northeast corner of section 19, the same year at a cost of $351 50. 
and in 1873 it was moved to its present location on section 18. School was first taught 
in this building by S. P. Camp, who commenced teaching December 10, 1863 ; owing to 
ill health he was compelled to quit teaching in a short time. William H. Harris taught 
the remainder of the term. Previous to building this house the children of this district, 
as well of 1, 2, and 3, were sent to Hickory Grove School, which stood on section 8, and 
is now the Shiloh church building. The first directors were : S. P. Camp, E. Lemons, 
and C. C. Kennett. The following gentlemen have served as directors : J. I. Norton, 
William Hastie, W. H. Lemon, T. J. Camp, I. W. Whittlesey, Z. B. Hart, James Booth, 
J. A. Brown, Dewitt Cruser, and Charles Stiwalt. 

Centre, District No. 5. — Organized in 1863 ; building erected at a cost of $500, size 
22x24 ; located in section 10. Among the directors that have served this district from 
time to time are the following named : Jessie Arbagast, Madison C. Stearns, D. W. Lantz, 



HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGII COUNTY. 427 

William Jones, J. "\V. Botlen, C. S. Van Sycle. Among the teachers that have taught are: 
Annie Anstine, Nancy McGowen, Miss Lowry, Mattie Buck, Jennie Messelrode, James 
Robinson. 

Grecniciiod, Dixtrict Nd. 7. — Building located on section 20; erected in 1872 ; size, 
20x30. Duraut Litchfield, D. Chidester. and A. Arthur are the present directors, and 
Miss Melton the teacher for the year 1870. 

L'/iion, District No. 8. — This district is a union of No. 3, of Macomb, and No. 8, of 
Walnut Grove townships. The building is situated on the southwest quarter of section 
32 of Walnut Grove township, and is valued at 'i'oOO. The directors are : Jacob Detrick, 
David Brockway, and Mr. Graham. 

Linn Grove, District No. 6. — House located on the northwest corner of section 24, and 
erected in 1863 at a cost of •■S^oOO ; present value, $350 ; size, 18x2G. Directors — William 
W. Stewart, J. T. Lewis, A. J. Tiger, B. F. Fox, H. Kodenback, H. George, William M. 
Hagemen, J. D. Hagemen, William Pugh. Teachers — Mary Spangler, M. J. Johnson, 
]Maria Sperling. Mis? Applegate, Sarah Fox, Bell Fowler, Mary Mariner, Cynthia Katekin, 
Rowan Hamlin, Addie Engle, M. H. McElvain, G. A. Switzer, Mahala Markham, O. W. 
Clark. 

District No. 9. — This district has a good brick building, situated on section 9, which 
was built in 1861 at a cost of fi^400. Joseph Sullivan, James Depoy, C. C. Horrell, Wil- 
liam H. Nanki\ille, John Thompson, Jesse E. Kiggs, J. P. Blue, William J. Horrell, R. 
Burton, and C. Keeseker, have served as directors. Addie Neece, N. Neece, Samuel 
Riggs, Rebecca Pollock, W. E. Venard, and Ella Hume have taught in this district. 

CHALMEES TOWNSHIP. 

There are in this township twelve districts, four of which are in union with other 
townships. 

District No. 1. — The school building is located upon the southeast quarter of section 
1. William Hunter. T. C. Kirkpatrick, and Cyrus Head served as directors for 187G-77; 
Cary Head teacher for the same time. 

District No. 3. — The school house is on the northwest quarter of section 3. Directors 
for 1876-77 were T. L. Bowen, Nicholas Bucher, and James Roak, and Nancy D. Bowen, 
teacher. 

District No. 3. — The school house is on the northwest quarter of section 8. The 
directors are W. S. Gordon, Marvel Bean, and John Inmaia. John O. Owen taught in 
1876-77. 

District No. 4. — The school building was erected in 1867, on section 17 ; it is brick, 20 
x30, and cost .f 900, Previous to the building of this house, school was held in an old 
log house which was built about 1857. The directors are, A. B. Cherry, Chas. A. Stevens 
and Jackson Riggs. Among those teaching are, T. Curtis, J. M. Dunsworth, Ada Curtis, 
Ella Humes and Ada Ingals. 

District No. 5. — School house situated on the northwest corner of section 22. Direct- 
ors for 1876-77 were John Kaiser, John Johnson and A. Decker. Walkins Decker was 
teacher during the same time. 



428 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

District No. 6. — The school house stands upon the northeast corner of the northwest 
quarter of section 14. Among those serving as directors are : W. S, McClelland, G. W. 
Eeid and Michael Megan. The teacher for 1876-77 was Kate Kennedy. 

District No. 1. — The school building is located on section 2.5, and is a good frame 
struoture,costing but !$")();). The following named gentlemen have served as Directors: W. 
r. Wayland, Joshua Wayland, S. T. MoClure, Tom Andrewrf, James T. McClure and Geo. 
P. Norton. Among those teacning here are, Susan Haney, Sophia Leonard, Sarah K, 
Blazer, Laura E. Clugstou, H. M. Scroggs, Sarah Allison, Annie Pace, Ella McClure and 
Susie Wayland. 

District No, 8. — This school is known as the "Long Nine School." The building is 
located on section 33 ; it is a good, frame house and formerly stood in Middletown, and 
used as a business house ; was purchased by the district in IHOU, for !j!60(),and moved to its 
present site : the district was organized April 2, 186G. Among th 3 dii'ectors serving have 
been, S. Strader, J. H. Snyder, Jessie McCarmack, Abraham Black and R. H. Horrell : 
teacher for 187(5-77 was Ella McClure. 

Union District No. 1. — School house located in Bethel township, section 1; directors 
are R. Venard and John Weaver ; David Blazer, teacher for 1876 ; Alice Smith for 1877. 

Union District No. 6. — School house in the town of Colchester. 

Union District No. 8. — Building located on section 19. Directors for 187(5-77 were H. 
C. Dramond, Oscar Floury, and Robert Myers; the teacher for the same period was E. 
R. Hoyt. 

U)iion District No. 12. — School house located in Fandon. Among those serving as 
directors were R. C. Clark and Jacob Coon. 

emmet; 

Union District No. 1. — School was taught in a log house near Clarke's saw-mill by 
Henry Hardin as early as 1835, and in 1840 a log house was built on section 10, near 
where the present building now stands, for school purposes, and the first school was 
taught by J. L. Cross. For several years, or until about 1854, this log house was used as a 
school building, when a difficulty arose among the parents in regard to a teacher then 
employed, and, in order to prevent the school being continued the house was one night 
torn down, or made unfit for use. The term of school, however, was finished in the 
house of T. G. Painter by Jane Maxwell. Soon after, perhaps the same year, the pres- 
ent building was erected at a cost of $500. It is 22x28. The following named gentle- 
men have sei-ved as directors: George Stickle, F. M. Painter, H. Simmons, Thomas 
Simmons, A. Stickle, Jacob Stickle, Samuel McCray, S. Bland and Mr. Teaford. Among 
the teachers employed by this district were Levi Elliott, J. T. Neal, J. S. White, J. H. 
Simmons, Sue M. Pitman, Mary E. Norris. Ella Lowe, William Bottcnlnirg, Florence 
Phelps, George Berry and Miss Frank Stickle. 

District No. 2. — Previous to the erection of the present l)uilding, a log school house 
was used, built by general contribution in 1841. It stood one quarter of a mile north- 
east of the present building, which was erected in 1864, at a cost of ff'60() ; size, 20x30. 




K... 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 429 

Annie P. Shaw taught first school in this building. John Siders, llosa Barnes, Mary E. 
Siders, John Roach, Sarah E. Begg, Mandy Cartwright, Mattie Nelson, and Dora Fur- 
geson have taught here. Among those serving as directors were : John D. Hainline, A. 
J. Hainline, and James GrilBth. The average salary paid teachers is $35 per month, and 
the average attendance 22. 

Yards, District No. .'i. — This is one of the best school buildings in the township. It 
stands on section 29, and is valued at ^700. The directors are Thomas C. Yard, William 
B. Naylor, and "William Craig. J. W. Bugg taught here for the winter of 1876, and Miss 
Agnes Tipton during the summer of 1877. 

District No. 4 — The building is one mile and a half west of Macomb, on section 3.5. 
It is valued at $150. The directors are: B. M. Fuller, John Fleming, and L. W. Dicker- 
.son; Miss Mary Harrison taught here during the winter of 1876-77. 

Union District No. 5. — The school building is on section 1. It was erected in 1856 at a 
cost of $840. This is a Union district, having two houses, one in Macomb township. 
H. A. Summer and Cyntha Creel, teachers for 1876-77. (See Union, District No. 5, Ma- 
comb township.) 

Oak Grove, District No. 6. — This district was organized in 1866, and the same year the 
present building was erected. It stands on section 17, and is a good frame, costing 
$800 ; its size is 22x26. The average attendance is forty. Previous to the erection of 
this house school was taught in a building one mile west. James Forrest, B. F. Guy, 
John Ledgerwood, Riley Pennington, J. Bayless, Peny Pennington, Elisha Ledgerwocd, 
and George Calvert have officiated as directors. Edward Neal, Louisa Sweeney, T. J. 
West, Elsie Vaudevander, Sadie A. Stickle, Mrs. S. E. Atkinson, EUa Whitson, J. W. Budd, 
MoUie Mains, Sallie Berr}", and Henry Knappenberger were among the teachers. 

McKee, District No. 7 — Building located on the southwest corner of section lo. ThLs 
building was erected in 1876 at a cost of $550. The old house, which stands upon the 
same lot, was sold to the township for the purposes of holding therein elections, town 
meetings, etc. The directors are Julias Hartung. Charles M. Elting, and Samuel H. Mur- 
fin. John Casto taught during the winter of 1876, and Miss Kate Elting during the sum- 
mer of 1877. 

District No. 8.— This district was formed by the divison of No. 7. The school house 
was erected in 1877 at a cost of $350 ; it stands on section 22. The directors are Cary 
Griffith, Hugh White, and Michael Callahan. The first teacliei- was Miss Alice Newell. 

SCIOTA TOWNSHIP. 

BxrnsrlUe, District No. 1 — Previous to the organization of this district, school wa^ 
held in the same building, then standing one mile south of its present location and 
known as district No. 5. In 1871 No. 5 was divided, forming the present districts 1 and 
6. The building was erected several years ago, and stands on the northeast comer of 
section 11. H. Robinson, D. A. Robbins, Eli Davis, John Campbell, Isaiah Beckelhymer, 
Thomas Hamilton are those serving this district as directors, and as teachers the follow- 
ing: Miss S. J. Morey, Miss E. Herald, C. A. Morey. Annie Cochrane, Annie Hamilton' 
James Cochrane. 



430 HISTORY OF M'dOXOUGH COUNTY. 

Pleasant Gate. District No, 2. — The bouse is situated in the southeast corner of sec- 
tion 4, and was built in 18()8, the same year the district was organized: the size of the 
building if 20x28, and the cost !i!4r)0. There are thirty-five school children in the dis- 
trict and an average attendance of twenty. Directors — Thomas Wright, William Aten, 
B. C. Perky, Seth Woods, Thomas Shaw, Henry Dirk, Jose^jh Breiner. Miss James, C. 
Morey, Miss Dilley, AUie Pyle, Addie Pyle, Miss McMillan, Miss Murphy, Nellie Davis, 
Miss Prichard, Miss Sperling, teachers. 

District Xo. 3 — In 1868, District No. 2 was divided forming 3 and 4. The house was 
moved to its present location, northwest corner section 8, the same year, and is 22x20 
feet and valued at $150. Directors serving since 1868 are : Geo. Cassingham, John Tip- 
ton, William Throp, T. Kellough, E. Dice, William Keinhart, James Mustain, Smith Bou- 
well, and Samuel Bush. The teachers are : Alvia Boylan, Maria Castle, Adia Pyle, Em- 
ma Sperling, G. W. Kellough, Harvy Tipton. Samantha James, Fannie Tipton. Martha E. 
McDonald. 

Mtuhly Lane, Disfrirt No. 4. — This district was organized in 18G7 ; the school house 
was bnilt the same year at a cost of $450 ; its size is 18x24 feet. There are from twenty 
to thirty-tive scholars in attendance, and the average salaries of teachers is $;>5. S. 
Chandler, P. Dirk. J. Deems, Lyman Welch, E. Allshouse, Joseph Yager, G. W. Bugg, 
Able James, William Miller have been the directors. John W. Siders, Rosa Barnes, 
Samantha James, Miss Wliiteley, Mattie Cochran, Mary Hoj^per, John McCartney, J. W. 
Bugg, G. Prall, N. Hall, N. Aten, Samuel Barlow, George Kelo, Mary Siders, teachers. 

Center, District No. 5.— This district was organized in 1858, and a building erected on 
section 22, the same year, at a cost of $450 ; size, 20x24 feet. The following named have 
sei-ved as directors : J. T. Green, J. H. Hennen, Samuel Heaton, John Lowe, T. B. Nes- 
bitt, J. W. Lowe, G. W. Warren, J. M. Dew, William HaU, Robert Buchanan, and M. W. 
Cozad. The following persons have engaged as teachers : Fredrica Longenscheidtj 
Martha Ruddle, T. B. Nesbett, Miss V. A. Treudly, J. V. Haggerty, Louisa Champion^ 
William F. Dunn, Rosa Barnes, Emma Kautz, J. Siders, G. E. Dew, S. J. Cannon, Maria 
Cannon, Harvy Lemon, Gertrude Van Hosen, J. M. Forrest, George Lerew, Seeley Mari- 
mer, Mattie Cochran, Emma Hess. 

Willow Grove, District No. 6. — The school building is located in the southeast corner 
of section 14, and was erected in 1872 at a cost of $1,500. It is a good frame, 24x28 feet. 
The average attendance is sixteen. The directors have been J. W. Brewster, J. B. Ven- 
ard, Leonard Yeast, William Ragan, Parley Heath, William Wisherd, J. M. Yaple, and 
N. S. Dennis. Teachers — Sarah Blazer, Josie Curtis, H. C. Agnew, N. S. Dennis, Addie 
Engle, Ella Lowe. 

Sciota, District No. 10. — The school building is in the town of Sciota, and was 
erected in 1872 at a cost of $1,200. In 1875 an addition, costing $600, was added. S. 
M. Hale, Dr. E. Brown and Obemeyer are the present directors. The main building is 
24x36; its addition 17x22. 

Good Hope. — This was formerly District No. 9 of Walnut Grove and Sciota town- 
ships. The school building was then situated on the southwest corner of section 30 of 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 431 

the former township, and wrs erected in 1861. It was removed to Good Hope in 1874, 
since -which time it has given place to a larger and neater building, one that is an honor 
to the town. 

LAMOIXE TOWNSHIP. 

ColiiVir, Di.-itrirt No. 7. — The school building is located on the northeast corner of 
the northwest quarter of section 8, and was erected in 1857; in 1876 an addition was 
built and the old building remodeled; value $650. Previous to the erection of the build- 
ing school was held in a house belonging to Henry Brickell. Among those serving as 
directors were George Barker, Samuel Morrow, Henry Brickie, George Johnson, and 
Benjamin "Waddle. The teacher for 1877 was Mr. Berry and receives !t=<!5 per month. 

TENNESSEE TOWNSHIP. 

Ditttrid Xo. 1. — There are two school buildings in this district, valued at $600 — one 
situated in Hillsgi'ove, the other on section 20. Directors — Thomas Fulkerson, George 
Ruddle, and Van Gilchrist. Teachers for 1875 — Mr. S. Bush and Miss E. Ritchie. 

District No. 2. — The school house stands on section 26, and is valued at $500; it was 
erected in 1869. The directors are Q. Smith and L. F. Carson; teacher for winter of 
1876-77 was S. D. Freeland. 

Didrict No. 3. — The school building is situated on section 10, and is valued at $400. 
Directors — J. Zimmerman and R. M. McClure. 

District No. 4. — For many years, and until 1856, school vv as taught in northern part of 
section 5 ; the district then was five miles square ; Pinkney Simmons taught here as early 
as 1851 ; the present building, which is also located on section 5, on the southwest quar- 
quarter, was built in 1857 ; it is about 16x20 feet, and is worth $100. There are sixty- 
three scholars in the district, with an attendance of thirty ; salary of teachers will ave- 
rage $30 per month. William Allison. Joseph White, and James Anderson were the 
tir.st dii-ectors. In 1876 J. B. Eakle, Stephen M. Chiiiman, and J. G. Dixon were elected 
directors. 

Tennessee, District No. 5. — Building erected in 1873 at a cost of $7,000 ; located in the 
town of Tennessee. Directors — John Myer, William Cook, and William Cowan. Teach- 
ers — Miss S. Blazer and Miss L. Grafton. 

Union, District No. 6. — The school house is in Colchester ; is a good brick structure, 
erected but a few years ago at a cost of $8,000. I. B. Hunt, R.Musson, and J. U. Under- 
hill are directors. C. W. Parker, George McDaniel, Miss M. Finley, and Miss C. Archer, 
teachers for 1876-77. 

Districts Nos. 7 and 8. — The buildings of these districts are not in Tennessee town- 
ships ; one is located on sections 19, Chalmers township, and known as District No. 8, the 
other on section 36, Hire township. 

Union District No. 9.- — The house is situated on section 18. and is valued at $300. 
Directors — L. Underhill and T. B. Wilson. Teacher — Miss Forrest. 



432 HISTORY OF m'doNOUGH COUNTY. 

HURE TOWNSHIP. 

Dixtrict No. 1. — The school building is located on section 11, and was erected in 18n2 
at a cost of sfiOO ; it is 18x22 feet. The following named persons have served as directors: 
"William Johnson, Lucius Shryack, A. Brown. Marcellus Shryack, Abijah Huff, "William 
L. Shryack, James Keithley, Bedford Graham, Joseph Bice, C. W. Sly, S. B. Davis, and 
John Hays. The following named persons have been teachers : S. B. Davis, Mary E. 
Siders, Alice A. Phelps, J. "W. Bugg, John Argenbright, Lizzie Argenbright, J. "W. Sell, 
J. "W. Siders, Sarah J. Cannon, Jennie Banger, Thomas Brennon, Christiana Fultz, Eliza- 
beth Cannon, Peter Pancake, Amanda George, Emma Earp, and Samuel Creightou. 

District No. 2.^The school house stands on the southwest quarter of section 3, and is 
valued at sj'20;). In the district are ninety-two scholars. John Fisher, James Bailey, and 
Floyd Foster are the directors. 

District No. 3.— This district was organized in 18G1. The house stands on the north- 
west corner of section 8, is 18x28 feet, and valued at ijSlOO. There are forty-two scholars 
in the district, with an average attendance of fifteen. Among the directors elected are : 
Samuel Logan, "William "Williams, William H. Hungate, Solomon Hainline, and Charles 
Libby. The following have been the teachers : S. D. Freeland, Viola Logan, "Wharton 
Alexander, Sarah Sorter, C. H. Hungate, and Julia Courtright. 

Hock Creek, District No. 4. — District organized in 1857, the same year of the town- 
ship. The present building was erected in 1873, at a cost of ^1,000, and is 22x30; it is 
situated on section 17. There are fifty scholars in the district, with an attendance of 
thirty. Isaac Oakman, James Williams, James White, James Barnett, John Needier, 
George Hainline, Jacob Hainline and Jesse Hainline have served as directors, and 
among those teaching were Susie Campbell, Jennie Freeland, Miss Barr, Sylvester Hutch- 
ins, Flora Newcomb, Luella Hollidaj', James Duff, and William lieynolds. 

District No. .5.— The building is located on section 22, is 20 by 30, and was moved to 
its present site is 18G2; the value of the house is $'200. The following have served as 
directors from time to time : T. F. Wilson, William C. Hainline, F. Freeland, A. J. Veal, 
Israel Null, John Graham, Wesley Hawkins, Jacob Parrish, Thomas Hainline, John 
Kirk, Elijah Stookey, David Keithley, J. F. Richardson, John Charter, J. S. Veal. As 
teachers we find the following named persons : Sophrona Freeland, S. B. Davis, Bell 
Hainline, Miss E. Palmer, T. K. Roach, Belle Courtwright, A. M. Johnson, A. R. Bullock, 
B. C. Underwood, J. W. Bugg, Homer Fiscus, Sarah Null, J. Fiscus, J. W. Siders, Malinda 
Bennie, J. E. Hainline, Amanda George, Annie Russell and Nannie Pedrick. 

District No. fi. — School building erected in 1872 on the northeast corner of section 
23; size, 20x30; there are sixty scholars in the district with an average attendance of 
thirty-five. John Carmack, J. E. Carlyle, Eli Murray, Thomas Parker, and Thomas Ben- 
nett have been directors, and Mrs. Sweenej% J. T. Murray, Miss Kane, J. Griswold, -John 
Lovett, M. Martin, and Andrew Adair have been teachers. 

District No. 7. — The school building stands on the northwest quarter of section 3G; 
its value is $^300; in the district are ninety-eight scholars. The following are the direc- 
tors: Elijah Welch, William Cormaek. and Allen Murray. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY 433 

Hicks, District No. 8. — This school district was organized in 1852, and a house built 
the following year, and in 18G7 the present boilding was erected at a cost of !|1,200. It 
is 24x30, and is located in section 34. In the district are about forty scholars, twenty- 
five of whom attend school. The directors sei-ving since 18r)2 are : E. N. Hicks, Jeffer- 
son Hire, "William Swazy, James Beard, Samuel Pulliam, F. F. Myers, James Bice, and 
Franklin Hire; those teaching were George Davis, Miss Foler, Peyton York, R. Kimble, 
J. Arganbright, Sarah Null, Martha Welch, Taylor Murray, Alice Hamphrey. J. S. Hutch- 
ens, Vespassion Stookey, James Fulkerson, Amelia Templeton. 

Dsstrict Ifo. 9. — In 1863 a house 18x26 was built on section 30. There are forty-six 
scholars in the district, with an average attendance of seventeen. Since its organization 
the following-named men have served as directors: Solomon Kious, Vandever Banks, 
Philip George, B. H. Roberts, Newton Eakle, John Zimmerman, and Jacob George; 
while the following-named teachers have been engaged: Abner Keithley. Lucretia McEl- 
roy, Maggie Eaous, Austin Allison, Advice Ades, Charles Davis. J. S. Hutchins, Libbie 
Harris and Nellie Doran. 

ELANDINSVILLE TOWNSHIP. 

District No. 1 . — The school house is located on the southwest corner of section 2, and 
was erected in 1872 at a cost of $750 ; it is 18x28. The district was organized in 1858. 
There are in it thirty-five scholars, with twenty-five attending school. The following are 
among those serving as directors : John Huston, James Woodside, S. Guj', Rigdon Hus- 
ton, John M. Huston, and William Blackhurst. Among those teaching were : L. S. 
Wright, Maggie Couch, Allies Phillips, Maggie Finley, and C. Fegley. 

District JVo. 2. — This school house is located on the northeast quarter of section 7, and 
is valued at $300. The directors are : L. C. Carter and John Langerstett. 

Mount Pleasant, District No. 3.. — School building located on section 18 ; its size is 18. 
x24. Among the directors that have served are : Phillip George, H. R. Grigsby, N. D. 
Muatain, John Herzog, and Alfred Kaufman. Teachers — Silas Wright, Maggie Finley , 
Ollie Alexander, and Amanda George. 

Center, District No. 4. — The school house is situated on section 21, and was erected in 
1858 at a cost of $600 ; it is 18x24. There are in the district forty scholars, with an ave- 
rage attendance of twenty-five. The following are the names of directors serving since 
its organization : Nathan IMustain, Hiram Williams, J. Cross, Campbell Taylor, N. 
Grigsby, Preston Huston, William Isom, Thomas Melvin, William Campbell, George Mus- 
tain, and John Huston. The following named are the teachers : E. Dice, I. Reed, John 
Hungate. William Smith, William Berry, Miss Cartwright, Levi Wright, Rebeca Mayors, 
John Argenbright, and Ida Griffin, 

District No. b. — The school house stands on section 30. Its value is placed at $500. 
The directors are W. B. Kirkpatrick, A. Hickman, and P, Boughman. 

District No. 6. — This district includes the town of Blandinsville. The school house 
is valued at $10,000, The directors are W. R. Clements, William D. Mustain, and John 
W. Fowler. 



434 



III.STOKV OF M DONOUGH COUNTV. 



District No. 7. — Ths building in thi.s district is located in Hire township. 

District No. S. — School building is on section l.';5. and is valued 8300. J, W. Davis, 
John Key, and S. A. Wells are directors. 

District No. 9. — The school house of this district is on section L'O. Its value is ^300. 
The directors are Nathan Wright, J. V. M. Hardesty, and Harrison Sappington. 

District No 13. — Tiie sc'jojI p:-op3riy of this diit/ict is worth !f;<3:). The directors 
are William Metcalf, R. R. Harris, and S. Gaumer. 

District No. 11. — The school house was moved to its pre.sent site, southeast corner of 
section 4, in 18G4, and is 18x21:. The average attendance is ten, while there are twenty 
scholars in the district. Isaac Miller, William Hardesty, William L. Woodside, Thomas 
Mustain, and Thomas Roberts have served this district in the capacity of directors. The 
following are amoung those teaching : Thomas Goodmight, Nancy Fowler. Julia Ise- 
minger, Levi Wright, Lizzie Cook, Sam Hungats, Silas Wright, and Charles Hardesty. 



Name of Town- 
ship. 


Whole number 
of persons un- 
der 21 years of 
age" 


Whole number 
of school dis- 
tricts 


Whole numlier 
of pupils en- 
rolled 


Whole number 
school houses 
in county 


Tctal amount 
received dur- 
ing the year 
euding Sept. 
30, 1876 


Total expendi- 
tures for year 
ending Sept. 
30, 1876 


Whole amount 
paid teachers 


5^5 

:' ^< 


if 

c '^ 

ro jei 
s p 


o 

2.5 


Chalmers 


937 
242 
605 
852 
559 
673 
530 
518 
807 
627 
691 
581 
849 
741 
889 
715 
1,168 
1,896 
1,002 

11,890 


12 
6 
8 
9 
it 
9 
9 
9 

11 
7 

10 
9 
9 

10 
4 

10 

\ 

9 


593 
160 
300 
453 
403 
357 

395 
311 
358 
361) 
396 
467 
576 
478 
312 
517 
347 
557 


10 
6 
8 
6 
■ 9 
9 
9 
9 

n 

7 

10 

9 

9 

10 

6 

10 

4 

5 

9 


S4,505 48 
1,633 40 
2,425 23 
3,463 24 
5,182 86 
7,131 48 
1,098 88 
4,498 93 
6,168 56 
3,510 41 
4,409 84 
4,863 12 
3,969 93 
7,287 62 
6,291 19 
4,994 29 
7,100 00 

10,279 71) 
9,472 99 


53,777 35 
1,560 63 
2,030 25 
2,944 36 
4,500 19 
6,104 16 
790 52 
3,654 61 
5,512 13 
3,510 41 
3,856 82 
3,574 82 
3,262 19 
6,171 08 
4,824 93 
4,520 99 
6,910 21 
9,221 07 
7,667 86 


S2,451 74 
1,282 76 
1,576 16 
1,750 00 
2,864 14 
2,801 00 
586 83 
2,491 00 
3,450 12 
1,887 74 
2,588 44 

2.799 31 
2,513 70 
3,209 00 
3,420 56 
3,811 54 
4,226 25 
8,050 00 

3.800 13 


S4,250 

3,200 

2,900 

3,100 

3,950 

7,500 

6,300 

5,000 

6,815 

3,200 

3,830 

3,200 

6,500 

10,925 

6,300 

6,900 

25,000 

42,000 

15,550 


S40 
45 
45 
45 
50 
50 
60 
.50 
60 
55 
50 
60 
75 
(,0 

100 
60 

111 

135 
GO 


20 


Bushnell towns' p.. 


25 


Bethel 


20 


^Valnut (irove .. .. 
Iilrtcomb township 
Eldorado 


25 
25 


Scotland 




Sciota 


2'i 




26 


Hire 


25 






Biandinsville 

Prairie City 


20 
20 


Bushnell City 

Maeomb City 


40 
30 






Totals 


152 


8,056 


159 


§98 ''37 07 


SS4,454 58 


§55,566 42 


1160,420 













iirsTOKY OF m'doxouch county. 435 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

BIOORAPim.'AL SKETCHES COXTIXUED. 
ELDER JOHN LOGAX. 

The subject ot this sketch was born in Rockbridge county, Va., 
February 14, 1793. His father, Samuel Logan, was a native of 
Ireland, wlio emigrated to this country when about twenty j'ears 
of age, and was married about the year 1789 to Ann Wylie. A 
short time after the birth of John, his parents removed to Garrett 
county, Kentucky, making the journey with two pack horses, on 
which all their worldly goods were borne. 

Elder Logan was a self-made man in every sense of the word. 
On account of the extreme poverty of his parents, he only ob- 
tained such education as the common schools of that earlj^ day 
afforded, but he had a thirst for knowledge, and read with 
avidity every book he could get, thus storing his mind with inform- 
ation that was ot service to hini in after 3'ears in the proclama- 
tion of the gospel. 

On the twenty-eighth day of Xovembcr, 181 1, he was married 
to Miss I^Taucy Xewell, in Simpson county, Ky., and at once re- 
moved to Sumner county, Tenn., where he lived for five years. It 
was here, under the preaching of Elder Lee Allen, that he was 
converted to Christ, and where he and his estimable wife were 
buried in baptism on the third day of October, 1819, and on the 
first Sunday in Xovember ot the same year they united with the 
Xew Hope Baptist Church, in Simpson county, Ky. From the 
time of his conversion he began the proclamation of the gospel. 

In October, 1823, he removed to Dubois county, Indiana, where 
he remained for four years. When he first settled here he tliought 
to engage no more in the preaching of the gospel, imagining 
his labors were fruitless. lie had been in the nei2:hborhood but 



436 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

a short time when he attended a religious service at the house of 
a neighbor, when the following dialogue occurred: "John, did 
you ever preach?" "I don't know," Did you ever try?" lie 
had to admit that he had. "Why, don't you know the 
Lord will kill you if you don't do His work? Xow, we must 
have preaching, and you must do it." A load was lifted from his 
mind, and never after that did he fail to preach as an opportunity 
offered. 

He was regularly ordained by Elders Graham, Charles Harper, 
and David Hornaday, and in the spring of 1828 moved to this 
county, and settled near the present town of Industry, living one 
season in the old block house, of which mention is made else- 
where in these records. The block house at this time was the 
property of William Carter, who, learning Elder Logan was com- 
ing- to the neio-hborhood to live, was watching for him, and when 
he made his appearance with his old-fashioned ox-team, with his 
family and entire household goods packed therein, he was hailed 
by Mr. Carter, who asked him where he was going to live. He 
replied that he had arranged with a family in the neighborhood 
to occupy a part of their house. Mr. Carter then said : "iSTow, 
see here, Mr. Logan, I have lived long enough in this world to 
know that no house is large enough for two women. There is 
that old block house over there, it that will suit, you can take it 
and use it as long as you like, and it shan't cost you a cent.'' The 
offer was thanktully received, and the place was soon made ready 
for the nse of the famil3^ Here they lived until fall, when they 
moved into a more comfortable house, where they remained until 
the following year, when another move was made to Schuyler 
county, which place was made their home until the fall of 1835, 
when they again returned to McDonough, this time settling near 
the present town of Blandinsville, and where they lived until the 
day of Mr. Logan's death. While living in the old blockhouse he 
preached in the neighborhood, and organized the first Sunday 
school ever held in the county. 

As a preacher. Elder Logan was energetic and earnest in the 
extreme — an off-hand speaker, never writing his sermons, and sel- 
dom using notes. His whole heart was in his Master's work, and 
he labored earnestly and zealously in the field in which he was 
called upon to occupy. In the spring of 1832 he received the 
appointment of missionary from the Home Missionar}^ Society, of 



HISTORY OF M'dONOUGII COUNTY. 437 

Boston, Mass. For this he was excluded from the Spoon River 
Association in the September following. Previous to this he was 
what is known as a Regular Baptist, a branch of the Baptist fam- 
ily opposed to missionary societies and salaried preachers, but 
which, we believe, up to this time had never made the same a 
test of fellowship. His exclusion from the Association did not 
cause him to lose interest in the work, but rather made him the 
more zealous, and we find him preaching everywhere in the region 
known as the Military Tract the unsearchable riches of God, and 
his work seems to have been specially blessed to the salvation of 
many. As a citizen he was eminently a man of peace ; a christ- 
ian father and husband, ever teaching his children that the fearof 
the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. While living in Schuyler 
county he was elected justice of the peace, but held the ofHce but 
a short time, believing it incompatable with his duties as a minis- 
ter of Christ. 

The result of his union with Nancy E^ewell was the birth of 
thirteen children, eight of whom are now living. 

WILLIAxM F. m'CANDLESS. 

The subject of our present sketch was born in Alleghany 
county, Pennsylvania, on the twenty-first day of January, 1812. 
Ilis parents were Archibald and Elizabeth (Faunigan) McCand- 
less, who, when their son was born, were in moderate circum- 
stances, but gave him as he grew up all the advantages their 
means would allow. The first years of his life were spent among 
the grand old mountains of his native State, breathing the pure 
air of the country. The common schools of the early part of the 
nineteenth century were all the educational advantages he was 
permitted to enjoy. The same general traits of character that 
have since developed in the man were observable in the boy. He 
was very conscientious, never indulging in profanity, but of a 
mischievous turn of mind, enjoying the ridiculous side of life 
and making his share of fun for the neighborhood. At the age 
of sixteen he was apprenticed to learn the trade of carpenter 
which business he followed tor twenty-five years, changing it 
when it seemed best for his pecuniary interests, having for some 
years engaged in farming; and the past few years being engaged 
in the sale of lumber, fiour, etc., in the town of Bardolph, where 
he now resides. 

Ji— 28 



438 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

On the twelfth day of September, 1833, he was united in mar- 
riage to Miss M. C. Scroggs, in Alleghany county, Pennsylvania, 
and by whom he has had eight children, five of whom are yet living, 
three having gone before to that beautiful land, where they await 
the coming of the other loved ones. 'J'he fond wife and mother, 
too, has passed "over the river," and bye-and-by she will be 
joined by the others, and in the city of our God they Avill meet 
never more to part. Mrs. McCandless breathed her last upon the 
fourteenth day of March, 1876, in the full assurance of the blessed 
hope of immortality beyond the grave. 

"When a young man Mr. McCandless moved from the country 
to the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and from thence, in due 
time, to Ohio Town, in Ohio; from which place he came west to 
McDonough county, in the spring of 1838, where he has since 
continued to reside, and where he has drawn around him a host 
of friends and acquaintances, who honor and respect the man. A 
short time after his arrival in Macomb, this county, he was elected 
to the office of Town Constable, serving the people in that capac- 
ity for four years, doing at that time a great deal of business, 
principally in the way of collecting, and it is said of him he made 
a i^o. 1 collector. He was also a member of the Board of Trus- 
tees of the town of Macomb for one or two years. 

"When he came to this county the whole eastern part was unset- 
tled, save here and there, hugging the timber, were a few scat- 
tered settlements. lie purchased a tract of land northeast of 
Macomb, erecting on it a cabin, moved his family thereto, and 
began its improvement. One winter day he took his wife and 
child with him in a sleigh, and drove to JVIacomb to attend to 
some business, which attended to, a little while before night he 
started home. When just outside the town a large black wolf 
sprang in his path. With whip in hand he endeavored to keep it 
ofi", while urging his horses onward. It appeared to be the design 
of the wolf to seize the child, and, while the father would attend 
to the team and receive the attacks of the animal, the mother 
would attempt to shield it from its clutch. The enraged and 
hungry animal continued the attack for some miles, until the 
house of a Mr. Booth was reached, where Mr. McCandless drove 
in and remained during the night. We have heard him say that 
many times has he driven across the prairie when the hungry 
wolves were howling all arouiul him, and Avhcn he supposed he 



HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGH COUNTY. 439 

was in considerable danger from their attack, bnt it is probable 
there is no incident more indelibly impressed npon his mind than 
the one narrated above. 

When a young man, Mr. McCandless united with the J*resby- 
terian Church, in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and has ever 
since retained connection with that branch of the Christian 
church, a great portion of the time occupying the office of deacon. 
He is a firm and consistent believer in the doctrines held by that 
body, and has ever lived up to his profession. For many years 
he was connected with the church at Macomb, but now holds 
membership with the church at Eardolph, his present residence. 

Mr. McCandless is a man rather below the medium height, well 
and strongly built, having a good constitution, and when young 
must have been quite active. lie wears no beard, his face always 
being smoothly shaven, and now, at the age of sixty-five, he is 
yet hale and hearty, and wears his age as lightly as one twenty 
}ears younger. Although not wealthy, he is in good, comforta- 
ble circumstances, the fruit of a life of toil and rigid economy. 

CAPTAIN J. C. m'cLELLAN. 

James C. McClellan was born in Washington county, Pennsyl- 
vania, April I, 1829. His parents were James and Abigal 
(Cromwell) McClellan, natives of the same State. They were 
poor in the world's goods, but rich in faith, and in their inter- 
course with the world ever endeavored to observe the golden rule. 
The father was by trade a carpenter, and when James was but 
fourteen years of age he took him in the shop that he might learn 
the same trade. The common school, that institution from which 
so many eminent men of the land have graduated, was the only 
place where a knowledge of letters was imparted to him, 
and the place where all knowledge of books was received, save 
what he has since learned by self-application. For nineteen yeai'S 
he followed his chosen trade, acquiring considerable skill in the 
work. 

At an early period in his life his parents moved to Preston 
county, Virginia, where they remained until their removal to Illi- 
nois in 1854. James accompanied tlicm to West Virginia, but 
tarried there after their removal to this State, having in the mean- 
time been Ijound by ties stronger than that of blood — that of 
marriage with Miss Venia J. Harned. The result of this union 
was one son, P. H. McClellan, who has now arrived at man's es- 



440 HISTORY OF m'dGNOUGH COUNTY. 

tate, and was lately liiinsclf married with Miss Ilattie Burt, of 
Quincy. The young couple now 7'eside at Mt. Sterling, Illinois, 
where the husband is engaged in the mercantile trade. 

While a citizen of West Virginia, Mr, McClellan concluded 
he would subscribe for and read the Kew York Tribune, that he 
mis^ht know what was transpiring in the outer world. This was 
in ante-war times. Uncle Sam's officials permitted him to re- 
ceive one copy of the paper, after wdiich they confiscated each 
number as it appeared and fed it to the flames. 

In the fall of 1857 Mr. McClellan came to Illinois, and during 
the winter of 1857-58 was in the employ of AVm. L. Imes & Co., 
Macomb, in manufacturing agricultural implements. In the 
spring of 1858 he went to Missouri, remaining there one year, 
when he returned to McDonough count}', settling in the village of 
Industry, where he labored at his trade until the summer of 1862, 
■when he enlisted as a private in Co. I, 78th Regiment, Illinois 
A^olunteer Infantry, and with the regiment was mustered into the 
United States service at Camp Wood, near Quincy, on the first 
day of September of that year. With this regiment he continued 
for some fifteen months, i:)articipating in very active service. He 
was in the battles of Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and many 
minor skirmishes and battles — the 78th always being in the front. 
In Decemljer, 1863, he was discharged for promotion, receiving the 
commission of First Lieutenant Co. IT, 17th Regiment United 
States colored troops. Shortl}^ after the battle of ISTashville, the 
most important battle in which the regiment was engaged, he 
was promoted to the rank of Captain, which position he retained 
during the war, and as such was honorably discharged in August, 
1865, a few months after the close of the war. 

On his return home Captain McClellan embarked in the drug 
business in Industry, continuing in it about five years, in which 
time he built up an excellent trade, and laying by a little money 
for "a rainy day. After closing out his drug trade, he removed 
to his farm, in Industry township, where he remained one year, 
from which place he removed to Macoml) in the fall of 1871. 
Shortl}'- after coming to Macomb he engaged as salesman in the 
dry goods house of Luther Johnson, where he remained one year, 
when he purchased of Messrs. Ivnapp & Hamilton the bookstore 
on the northeast corner of the square, in which line of trade he 
continued for about two years, when having a favorable oppor- 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 441 

tuuity to dispose of the stock, he sold the same and immediately 
purchased the well known clothing store of S. P. Dewey, in which 
line of trade he still continues, having au excellent and prosper- 
ous business. 

In 1852 Captain McClcllan made a profession of religion, unit- 
ing with the M. E. Church, with which body he yet remains con- 
nected. 

On the organization of the Republican party in 1854, he gave 
adhesion to its principles as enunciated in its national platform, 
but living in a slave state, he dared not express his sentiments as 
publicly as he desired, though his sentiments were well known. 
In the first presidential campaign of that party, though he was 
not permitted to vote for the candidate of his choice, he did the 
next best thing, and voted for Millard Filmore for president. As 
soon as he arrived in the free State of Illinois the seal was re- 
moved from his lips, and he could enjoy the right of free speech 
and vote his sentiments without fear of molestation. From that 
time to the present hour he has been a consistent Republican, the 
men and measures of that party receiving his cordial and active 
support. 

Captain McClellan is above medium height, well and strongly 
built, has a good head, wears full beard, and as a citizen enjoys 
the respect and confidence of his fellow men. As a business man 
he has been eminently successful in every enterprise in which he 
has engaged. He is quite cautious in his business ventures, and 
•calculates with certainty the result of every step. In the family 
he is kind and indulgent, and as a friend and neighbor he is uni- 
versal I3' esteemed. 

HON. ALEXANDER m'lEAN. 

Alexander McLean, eldest son of Hector and Catherine (Mc- 
Millan) McLean, was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, on 
the twenty-fourth day of September, 1834. As soon as he ar- 
rived at a suitable age he was sent to a private school in his na- 
tive city, where he remained until he was thirteen years of age. 

On the fifth day of June, 1849, with his parents, he bade fare- 
well to his native laud, and in one of the slow sailing vessels of 
that day, took passage for the United States, with the intention 
of making that free country his home in the future. After a 
tedious voyage of forty-two days the family arrived in l^ew York 
on the sevententh day of July following. Here they embarked 



442 HISTORY OF m'donough county. 

in a steamer on the Hudson river^ their final destination being 
McDonough county, Illinois. Leaving the steamer at Albany 
they proceeded by canal to Buffalo, where in one of the celebrated 
lake steamers they passed on to Chicago, thence by canal to La- 
Salle, from which place they continued their journey by the Illi- 
nois river to Sharpe's Landing, where a conveyance was secured 
which carried them to McDonough county, where they arrived 
in the vicinity of Camp Creek, about eight miles south of Ma- 
comb, on the fourteenth day of August, making a comparatively 
speedy journey for that day. 

At this time the subject of our present sketch was about fifteen 
years of age. With his parents he remained in the neighborhood 
of Camp Creek, where they had friends residing, until the follow- 
ing spring, when the family removed to the town of Macomb. 
Here he worked with his father for several years at the trade of 
stone-mason. ISTotwithstanding he belonged to the class of "greasy 
mechanics," and procured his living by the "sweat of his face," 
he was admitted to the society of the best families in the place, 
and soon became a favorite with all. Having au excellent mem- 
ory, with a pretty thorough knowledge of the literature of the 
day, and possessed of good conversational powers, he made many 
friends and secured the attention of those who were enabled to 
advance his interest in many waj's, as is evinced from the fact that 
before he attained his majority he was selected by Hon. William 
H. Randolph, then Circuit Clerk of the county, as deputy, which 
position he accepted and during the remainder of the term served 
in that capacity, giving the utmost satisfaction, not only to Mr. 
Randolph but to the members of the bar and citizens generally. 
In the discharge of his duties as deputy circuit clerk, on account 
of his efficiency and strict attention to the work of the office, Mr. 
Randolph became attached to him and there sprang up a friend- 
ship between them that was lifelong in its duration, and on the 
advice and consent of no one did Mr. R. more firmly rely than on 
young Alex. McLean. 

When the term of office of Mr. Randolph expired, on his sug- 
gestion Mr. McLean, with others, opened an office for the purchase 
and sale of real estate, under the firm name of McLean, Randolph 
& Co. This firm, for several years, did quite an extensive busi- 
ness ill that line, but in 1858, Mr. McLean withdrew from it. 



HISTORY OF M'DONOrCn COUNTY. 443 

Ou the thirty-first day of Decemher, 1858, he was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Martha J. Randolph, daughter of Benjamin F. llan- 
dolph, one of the pioneers of the county. As a result of this 
union eight children were born unto them, seven sons and one 
daughter, six of whom are now living, two having gone to the 
"better land." 

In February 1864, Mr. McLean left Macomb, for Xew York 
city, having received the appointment of clerk of a large real es- 
tate dealer, who was engaged in the purchase and sale of western 
land. For the seven years following he was a citizen of that city 
and Brooklyn. The firm with which he was connected enjoyed 
a very extensive and lucrative trade, and the knowledge acquired 
by personal dealing enabled Mr. McLean to be of great assistance 
in the selection of lands. 

While a citizen of Brooklyn, N. Y., together with his wife, he 
united with the Clinton Avenue Baptist church, in the month of 
December, 1867. Shortly after uniting with the church, he was 
elected Superintendent of its Sunday School, and for two years 
officiated in that capacity. After returning to Macomb, in 1871, 
he was chosen to fill the same position in the Baptist Sunday 
School of that city, retaining that position for two years. In this 
particular field of labor he has been an earnest worker, devoting 
to it much time and thought. In the County Sunday School As- 
sociation, he has been one among its most zealous members, doing 
much to promote its interests. For some years he has been chosen 
by that body as editor of the Sunday School column of the Ma- 
comb Journal, which position he has satisfactorily filled. . 

Mr. McLean, on several occasions, has been chosen by the peo- 
ple to fill some public office, each time discharging its duties in a 
satisfactory manner. The first public office which he was called 
upon to fill, as has already been remarked, was that of Deputy 
Circuit Clerk under William II. Randolph. The next was that of 
Clerk of the Board of Trustees of the town of Macomb. The 
first office to which he was elected was that of Alderman, in 1863, 
when he carried his ward against one of the strongest men in the 
opposite and ruling party — the Democratic. On this occasion 
many Democrats voted for him on personal grounds, notwithstand- 
ing he was regarded as a very radical Republican. That he was 
qualifiedfor the position, aud would discharge its duties faithfulh', 
was doubted by no one. In 1873 he was nominated b}' the Re- 



444 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

publicans of the city of Macomb to the office of Mayor, to which 
position he was duly elected by a good majority. In 1874, 1875 
and 1876, he was re-elected each year by an increased majority over 
the one preceding it. As an officer he brings to the discharge of 
his duties a will and determination to do all things well. In the 
four years that he has held the office of Mayor, more public im- 
provements have been made than in the same period during the 
existence of the city ; more sidewalks have been built and kept in 
repair; more miles of road faithfully w^orked ; a handsome and 
costly school house erected and paid for ; gas introduced, and 
many other things accomplished, while at the same time taxes 
have never been materially increased. This in a measure is the 
result of personal attention given the office, more time having 
been given by him in the discharge of the duties of the office than 
by any one by whom previously filled. 

As a politician, Mr. McLean is a thorough and consistent 
Republican, believing firmly in the principles advocated by that 
party, never yielding what he considers to be right at any time 
for present success. During the presidential campaign of 1876 he 
was the candidate for elector for the Tenth District, of which 
McDonough county forms a part. As a worker in a campaign he 
is indefatigable, and if success is possible he will help largely to 
secure it. The State having been carried by the Kepublicans, he 
was, of course, chosen an elector, and in the meeting of the elect- 
oral college at Springfield, he was chosen by his colleagues as 
messenger to carry the returns to the city of Washington and 
place them in the hands of the Vice President of the United 
States, in whose custody they are kept uniil they shall be opened 
according to law. 

. Mr. McLean has made one trip tu Europe'since his settlement 
in this country, traveling over a large portion of the continent 
and visiting the scenes of his childhood. He returned more 
reconciled than ever to the home of his adoption. Every part of 
this grand union he loves, and its free institutions he cherishes. 

The cause of education finds in Mr. McLean a most earnest 
supporter, and whether it be for the common school or for the 
higher and collegiate institutions of the land, he is at all times 
willing to sacrifice time and money for the good of either. 
Recognizing this fact. Governor Cullom lately appointed him one 
of the Trustees of the Illinois Industrial University, a position 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 445 

which he is emineutly qualified to till, and we hesitate not in assert- 
ing that no memher of the board will attend more faithfully to 
the duties of the office. 

In religious, as in educational matters, he takes great interest 
and in every part of the work in which a lay member is called 
upon to labor, he is ready to perform. lie is now moderator for 
the third time, of the Salem Baptist Association, of which the 
Baptist Church in Macomb forms a part. 

Mr. McLean is about five feet nine inches high, of good pro- 
portions, well developed muscles, light hair, blue eyes, a good head 
and a benevolent looking face, which is always smoothly shaved. 
As a citizen, he onjoj's the respect and confidence ot all who know 
him. Xo enterprise for the public good but what receives his 
earnest and undivided support. Time and money with him is no 
object, provided good can be accomplished. As a friend and 
neighbor he is kind and generous, never turning a deaf ear to the 
unfortunate ; as a husband and father he is attectionate and in- 
dulgent. 

WILLIAM C. m'LEOD. 

Perhaps no citizen of the county, having resided here no longer 
than Mr. McLeod, is better known. He is not a pioneer by any 
means, but has, since becoming a resident of the county, occupied 
many positions of trust, positions which he has tilled in so 
satisfactory a manner that his name has become a household word. 

William C. McLeod was born near New Town, Frederick 
county, Virginia, on the twenty-fifth day of March, 1825. His 
parents were John B. and Ann S. (Carson) McLeod, both natives 
of the same county in which their son was born. The elder 
McLeod was a practicing physician, who for thirty years followed 
his profession in l^ew Town, and was well and favorably known in 
all the region round about. He was a man of good mind, public 
spirited, and served his county in the State Legislature for two 
years. In company with his wife, Dr. McLeod came on a visit to 
his son in this county in 18G5, and while here was called to his 
long home, departing this life on the fifth day ©f May, in the 
sixty-sixth year of his age. The widowed mother returned to 
her Virginia home, where she lived until the twenty-seventh day 
of May, 1874, when she was called to join her departed husband 
in the better land, aged seventy-five years. 



446 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Dr. McLeod lived upon a farm adjoiniug the village of Xew 
To\Vii, and here the subject of this sketch passed his early life. 
Until eighteen years of age he passed his time in working upon 
the farm and in attending the select school of the village, where 
he made rapid progress in securing an education. When he 
reached the above mentioned age he engaged with a iirm in New 
Town to learn the trade of carpenter, choosing this rather than 
the profession that liis parents desired him to study. At this 
trade he labored for eleven years, becoming quite piroticient in all 
its branches. 

In 1850 Mr. McLeod left his native State, and for several years 
resided in Palmyra, Missouri. Here he continued to follow his 
trade, and for a time, in company with a Mr. Phelps, under the 
firm name of Phelps & McLeod, carried on the business of lum- 
ber dealers in addition to contracting and building. Many of the 
public and private buildings of Palmyra were erected under his 
supervision. 

In 1858 Mr. McLeod received the appointment from the Gov- 
ernor to superintend the enlai*gement of the State Penitentiary at 
Jefferson City, Missouri, and while attending to the work he 
received word of the sudden and dangerous illness of his w^ife, 
who was then on a visit to relatives in this county. Leaving the 
work in charge of another, he hastened to the bedside of his 
wife, expecting to return as soon as possible to finish his contract, 
but circumstances conspired to prevent this, and compelling him to 
resign the position. Some years previous to this he had visited this 
count}', and was impressed with the fertility of its soil and the 
natural advantages which it enjoyed. He now determined on 
locating here and making this his future home. That decision he 
has never since regretted. He came to McDonough county in 
October, 1858, and settled upon section fourteen, Emmet town- 
ship, where he has since continued to reside. 

Mr. McLeod has ])eeii twice married : first to Miss Mar}'' W. 
Miller, daughter of Kobert F. Miller, one of the pioneers of old 
McDonough county ; second to Miss Martha E. Simpson, of AVar- 
ren county, Yn. Eight children was the result of the first union, 
five girls and three boys, four of whom yet live, the rest, with 
the mother, having crossed over tlie river. Mrs. McLeod died in 
May, 1865. The second marriage of Mr. McLeod occurred 
October 5, 1868. They have had two children, one living. 



HISTORY OF m'dONGUGII COUNTY. 447 

While a citizen of ralmyra, Mr. McLeocl held the offices of 
Constable and City Marshal some 3^ears. Since coming to Mc- 
Donough county he has held the offices of ToAvn Clerk, Collector 
and Treasurer, and for fourteen years has been a member of the 
Board of Supervisors, a great part of the time Chairman of the 
Board. In the discharge of his official duties he brings to bear 
upon his lazors a zeal which, united with a determined will, ena- 
bles him to accomplish a great amount of work. No man that 
has ever lived in the county has taken more interest in its affairs, 
or has devoted more time to its improvement. All public im- 
provements have found him their earnest advocate, and McDon- 
ough county owes him a vote of thanks for what he has done. 
As Chairman of the Board he has rendered the best satisfaction, 
not only to his political friends, but to his political toes. He has 
always exercised the utmost impartiality in his rulings and in his 
conduct toward members. By the Board of Supervisors he was 
appointed to superintend the erection of the new jail building for 
the county, a work which he discharged to the satisfaction 
not only of that body, but the people at large. 

In politics Mr. McLeod has always been a consistent Democrat, 
the principles of that party being dear to his heart. As a Demo- 
crat he has always been elected to office, and no man labors more 
zealously for the success of the general and local tickets of the 
party. 

In height Mr. McLeod is about five feet eleven inches, of good, 
proportions, and will weigh about one hundred and seventy-five 
pounds. His general health has been good, and he is seemingly 
now in the prime of life. As a husband and father he is kind 
and indulgent, and visitors to his residence are welcomed with 
true old Virginia hospitality. As a neighbor and citizen he en- 
joys the confidence and respect of every one. Such is William C. 
McLeod, of Emmet township, Chairman of the Board of Super- 
visors of McDonough county. 

JOHN MUSTAIN. 

One of the oldest families in the county is that of the Mustaius 
— living in the northern part. Although none have never occu- 
pied high official positions, they still have traits of character 
Avhieh distinguish them from others, and are as highly respected 
as any living in the county. John Mustain, with his family, came 
to McDonough in the fall of 1832, having left his native State the 



448 HISTORY OF m'dONOUCtH COUNTY. 

latter part of August, previous. lie was born in Pittsylvania 
county, Virginia, in September, 1782, and was left an orphan at a 
very early age — his mother dying when he was only about two 
weeks old, and his father when he was but four years old — the 
latter being killed by being thrown from a horse. "While yet 
very young, he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a hatter, 
which occupation he followed for four years, when, not being sat- 
isfied with it, and preferring that of the carpenter, he was appren- 
ticed to that trade, which he learned and followed for some thirty 
years, but during the greater portion of the time he was engaged 
in farming. In this latter branch of business his success was 
greater than in that of any other, and the accumulations of after 
years were the result of his efforts in this direction. As previ- 
ously remarked, he arrived in McDonough county in the fall of 
1832, and proceeded to the neighborhood of Job's settlement, so 
often mentioned in this work. Here he purchased some four 
hundred acres of school land, (the sixteenth section) for which he 
paid $1.25 per acre. After purchasing his land he had some 
three or four hundred dollars left in foreign gold which he re- 
ceived from a bank in Lynchburg, Virginia, before leaving, the 
value of which he knew nothing save what was told him by the 
bank officer. Here he found no one that knew the value of a 
single piece of the coin, and all were afraid to receive it at any 
price. He was now in a perfect dilemma, being a stranger in a 
strange place, without credit or funds of any kind save that men- 
tioned. Having heard of Hon. James M. Campbell, of Macomb, 
he proceeded to that place to consult him in the matter. He had 
never seen Mr. Campbell, and, riding into town he met a gentle- 
man, when the following dialogue ensued : 

"Can you inform me where I can find the Circuit Clerk of this 
county?" 

"If you desire to see the Circuit Clerk," replied the other, "you 
are looking square at him." 

"I beg your pardon; it is probably the County Clerk I wish to 
see." 

"I am the County Clerk, also." 

"Well, can you tell me who is Postmaster?" 

"I am Postmaster." 

"Is your name Campbell?" 

"Yes, sir; that is my name." 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 449 

"AVell, then,"' responded Mr. Mustain, who could hardly be 
convinced of the identity of ^Ir, C, "j'ou are the man I \vant to 
see." 

He then proceeded to exphiin to him the condition in which he 
found himself with respect to the gold, and asked Mr. Campbell 
to take it and have it changed for him into currency which he might 
use. An arrangement was effected by which Mr. C. was to take 
the gokl and let Mr. Mustain have such goods as he wanted out 
of his store, and also from time to time a little money for his 
necessities, this arrangement to continue until Mr. Campbell 
should go to St. Louis to purchase goods, when he was to take 
the ffold with him and have it exchanged. This business transac- 
tion was the commencement of a close friendship that lasted 
until the close of the life of Mr. M., without a break or jar of 
any kind, and we have heard Mr. Campbell remark that no man 
did he ever esteem more highly than John Mustain, and from no 
one would he be more sure of receiving a favor, or to none would 
he more quickly render one. 

On the third day of June, 1812, he was married to Miss Eliza- 
beth Glenn, by whom he had ten children, seven boys and three 
girls, as follows : "William D., who now lives on a farm just west 
of Blandinsville, was born June 21, 1813. Daniel C, was born 
January 9, 1815, died October 26, 1870. Thomas A., living four 
miles north of Blandinsville, Avas born January 13, 1817. Kathan 
G., born March 23, 1819, died November 26, 1876. Jane M. L., 
born January 12, 1821, and died the twenty-fifth of July, 1845. 
John T., born November 15, 1824, living on section 21 township. 
Elizabeth A., born January 14, 1827, the widow of Archibald 
Oweri, late of Hancock county. James A., born September 24, 
1829, living in Sciota township. George W., born March 2, 1832. 
Gilly G., born September 23, 1824. The living members of the 
family all fill honorable positions in society. Shortly after their 
marriage Mr. and Mrs. Mustain wisely came to the conclusion 
that the advantages enjoyed in their native State was not such as 
they desired, and therefore determined to seek a home and fortune 
in a better country, or where the advantages would be much 
greater, especially in raising a family. This determination ac- 
corded with sense and duty, for nowhere couldii family be reared 
where the opportunity for amassing wealth, or gaining destinction 
was or has been greater than in McBonough county. Coming 



450 HISTORY OF m'dONOUOH COUNTY. 

here when all ^vas a ]>leak wilduess they lived to see it "l)lossom as 
a rose." John Mustain was a large portly man, of good appear- 
ance, pleasant and agreeable in his intercourse with friends and 
neighbors ; in the family circle, while kind to his children, he was 
strict in discipline and taught each member to know that his yes 
meantyes,andhis no meant no,from which there could be no appeal. 
In business with the world his w^ord could always be relied upon 
his promises always being held sacred, and invariably carried out 
to the letter. lie was a good friend and neighbor, living at peace 
with all men and a hard w^orking farmer. In politics he was a 
strong Democrat as are all his sons. His education was limited, 
but having strong common sense, strong will and with a deter- 
mination to do, the lack of a finished education was not such a 
drawback with him. He departed this life on the first day of 
March 1869, in the eighty-seventh year of his age. His loved 
companion died on the twenty-sixth day of October, 1863. 

WILLIAM D. MUSTAIN. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Pittsylvania county, 
Virginia, on the twenty-first day of June, 1813, and is the eldest 
of a family of ten children. His parents were John and Eliza- 
beth (Glenn) Mustai,n, pioneers of McDonough county, removing 
here with their family, including William, in 1832. As frequently 
remarked in these pages, children of pioneers liad few opportuni- 
ties in securing an education, the common schools, in which were 
taught onl}^ the rudiments, being the entire school facilities of 
the country. In these common schools young William obtained 
such knowledge of the arts and sciences as were taught therein. 
His entire life, we believe, has been spent on a farm, the tilling cf 
the soil being his principal occupation, occasionally varied in 
laboring at the trade of blacksmith, gunsmith, etc. In these 
trades he never served a regular apprenticeship, but followed 
them as his inclinations and necessities required. In the early 
days master workmen were not as plentiful as in this day, and one 
having skill to perform any work would soon find his services in 
demand. 

Although never attaining any special prominence in the public 
aftairs of the county. Mr. Mustain has yet been called on from 
time to time to accept local office. He has been Justice of the 
Peace, Overseer of Highways, Township Collector, School Di- 
rector, etc. In every position he has endeavored to render his 
duties faithfully. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 451 

On the eleventh day of August, 1835, j\Ir, Mustain was united 
in marriage with Miss Jane AVoodside, daughter of John AVood- 
side, another old and well known pioneer of the count}'. Ten 
children blessed their union, three of whom, with the mother, 
having passed on to that "bourne from whence no traveler returns." 
Mrs. Mustain was a member of the Christian Church and died 
in the full assurance ot hope. Of the remaining children, all are 
married save one. 

Mr. Mustain is living on a good farm adjoining the village of 
Blandinsville, on section 82, and is well known to all residents 
of the county, especially the older settlers, and enjoys the respect 
and contidence of all alike. Like the rest of the family, in poli- 
tics he is a Democrat of the old school, the principles of that 
party being dear to his heart. 

A. H. m'gahan. 

Alexander Hunter McGahau is the eldest of a family of five 
children, and was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on 
the seventh day of December, 1840. His parents were John and 
Eliza Ann (Jeftery) McGahan, natives of Pennsylvania, but of 
Scotch-Irish ancestry. His mother had been previously married 
to EbenezerEwing, leaving one sou, who is still living. AYhen 
the subject of this sketch was but ten years of age his father died, 
leaving three other children besides himself dependent on the ex- 
ertions of the mother; two of whom have since died, the other be- 
ing the wife of Rev. L. Y. Hays, a Presbyterian minister, now 
residing in Stockton, California. Until fourteen years of age Alex- 
ander H. attended the public schools of his native State, and also 
a few sessions of Hookstown Academy. He then entered the of- 
fice of the AVaynesburg (Pa.) Messenger, his inclinations being in 
favor of a literary or newspaper life, and also to place himself 
where he might receive the counsel and oversight of a much loved 
uncle. After five years labor at Waynesburg, ISTew Brighton and 
Pittsburg, Pa., he was compelled to abandon the business on ac- 
count of failing health. 

In the spring of 1861 he removed to Illinois, and for a few 
months was switchman at the railroad station at Prairie City, 
when he was appointed agent at Oak Hill, a station on the Peoria 
branch of the C. B. & Q. R. R. He remained here only four 
months, when he was transferred to Bushnell, taking charge of 
the station on the twenty-eighth of December, 1861, and where he 



452 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

yet remains, being one of the oldest agents on the C. B. & Q. road 
in point of service. In addition to the raih'oad agency, Mr. McGa- 
han has been agent of the American Express Company during his 
residence in Bushnell, up to November 1, 1877. As a business 
man he is pains-taking and conscientious in all that he does, and 
endeavors to deal honorably with all. Few men in like position, 
bringing him daily in contact with all classes of people, have so 
many warm friends. 

Since his seventeenth year Mr. McGahan has been a professed 
Christian, uniting at that age with the Presbyterian church, at 
AVaynesburg, Pennsylvania, then under charge of his uncle. Rev, 
Samuel H. Jefiery. With this body he retained membership at 
his different places of residence until his removal to Bushnell, 
where, there being at the time no organization of that denomina- 
tion, he united with the Reformed Church, remaining in its con- 
nection until the organization of the Presbyterian Church, of 
Bushnell, in 18G8, of which he was an organizing member, and 
was chosen one of its ruling elders, which office he j'et fills in an 
acceptable manner. As a member of the body of Christ he 
believes in work, and no one in that charge does more to advance 
the Redeemer's cause. lie is a zealous Sabbath school worker, 
and has been superintendent of the Presbyterian Sabbath school, 
in Bushnell, since its organization. In 1875 he was chosen by 
the Schuyler Presbytery as one of the Commissioners to the Gen- 
eral Assembly, which met at Cleveland during that year. 

In politics Mr. McGahan is a radical Republican, having cast 
his first and last vote for that party. While indorsing the gen- 
eral principles of that party, he does not indorse any appearance 
of evil by its member, and believes in rebuking and punishing 
corruption in high places, insisting on economy in private life, 
and correct ideas of the relation of man to man, and does not 
believe in promoting "policies" in national or local politics by 
compromising principles. 

In youth Mr. McGahan was sober and thoughtful, but lull of 
life, having the confidence of older persons probably in an un- 
usual degree. These traits of character have been retained 
through life, and as. a man no one stands higher in the esteem of 
his fellow citizens of whatever religious or political view. 

On the twenty-seventh day of October, 1864, he was united in 
marriage with Miss Alice West, daughter of Stockton AVest, one 



HISTORY OF M'dONOUGH COUNTY. 453 

of the first settlers of Busbnell, and one of its leading citizens. 
Two sons, AVillie Lincoln and Walter Lowrie, have been the fruits 
of this union, 

REV. JOSIAH MOORE. 

The parents of the subject of our present sketch were Charles 
and Hannah Moore, the former of English and the latter of 
Scotch descent. They had eight children — five sons and three 
daughters. The two eldest childreu died in infanc}', and one son, 
John, died in his thirt3^-second year, on the ninth of March, 1858. 
The records of the old families show a strict adherence to the 
Protestant faith. 

Josiah, the third child, and subject of this sketch, was born 
near Balljbay, Ireland, September 18, 1833. On the sixteenth of 
June, 1834, his j^arents sailed for the United States, and after a 
tedious voyage in oue of the slow sailing vessels of that day, 
reached Baltimore on the eighteenth of August, following. From 
here the family took passage in one of the great road wagons 
which at that time served in the place of rail cars, and came by 
way of the "Xational Pike" toWashington county, Pennsylvania, 
where they remained with friends until the twelfth of March, 
1836, when they proceeded west, the father having preceded 
them the previous fall. They took a boat at AVheeling, West 
N'irginia, and after a toilsome journey by water reached Galena 
on the third of April. Here the feverish excitement over lead 
mining, mud, and a wild western life, were each clamorous for 
supremacy, and each, at times, claimed the advantage of being 
uppermost. On the sixteenth of May, following, the family moved 
to their new home, which was a log cabin, erected, upon a tract of 
land secured by the elder Moore about twelve miles south of 
Galena. 

At an earl}' age Josiah took an active part in the work of his 
father's farm, and well remembers, when a mere boy, witnessing 
from his father's door the Indians in pursuit of wild game, such 
as deer, turkeys, geese, prairie chickens, etc., that were then so 
abundant. Sometimes a squad of these ill-fated followers of the 
famous, but vanquished. Black IIawk,'would march into the house 
without knocking, and, holding up a ham of venison, would say: 
"Swap, swap, swap — bread, bread." When they would become 
troublesome by repeating their visits too often, his mother would 
sav "Puk-a-gee," and they would at once leave. 
11—29 



454 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

The first school clajs of Josiah were spent in a little log school 
l^iouse built by his father on his own laud. For several years the 
childreu from a large scope of country around resorted to this 
humble retreat, seeking for a nobler destiny. The house was 
roofed with sod, had one sash, with six small lights for a window, 
an earth floor, a very large fire place, while the cracks between the 
logs were filled with mud in the winter, but all taken out in the 
summer to admit of light and air. His first teacher studied law at 
the same time, and afterwards became Judge of the Supreme 
Court of Wisconsin, but like many others of bright promise. 
Judge Crawford finally fell a victim to the intoxicating bowl. 

In the fall of 1855, while running a large threshing machine, 
Mr. Moore had a very narrow escape from losing his life by be- 
ing caught in the machinery. Soon after this he determined 
upon carrying out the long cherished purpose of his life — the ob- 
taining ot a liberal education — and accordingly entered West- 
minster College, Pennsylvania, where he remained until the sum- 
mer of 1860, except for a period of three months when he taught 
a school near his old home. In September, 1860, he entered Mon- 
mouth College, Monmouth, Illinois, where he remained until the 
following spring, when in response to the call of President 
Lincoln for troops, after the fall of Fort Sumpter, April 
13, 1861, together with E. A. Paine, afterwards General, 
be raised a company and tendered its service to Gov. 
Yates, but the rush to Springfield more than supplied the de- 
mand. The Governor gave Mr. Paine command of the 9th 
Infantry, and Mr. Moore was left to wait on another call, 
which soon came from the State for ten regiments to go into 
camp in their respective Congressional districts for thirty days, 
and hold themselves in readiness for United States service, if 
needed. He accordingly reported with his company at Peoria, 
and was sworn into service May 13. Another call soon came 
from the General Government and the company entered its ser- 
vice May 25, for three years, and became Company F,17th Illinois 
Infantry. The greater portion of the company were students 
from the college and were the first to enlist from AVarren county, 
jMr. Moore was commissioned as Captain April 20, 1861, and 
held this position to the close of his enlistment and then returned 
home in command of his company, which could not perhaps be 
said of another captain of the ten regiments. After the seige 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 455 

and surrender of A'icksburg be was elected major, but the regi- 
ment being reduced below the minimum by disease and loss in 
battle, he never received his commission. The 17th regiment did 
gallant service at Fredericktown, Mo., Fort Douelson, Shiloh, 
and in the seiges of Corinth and Alcksburg, besides skirmishes and 
marches innumerable. In every movement it generally occupied 
the front line. From all these services Captain Moore was never 
absent, unless a very few times on account of sickness. He was 
held in the highest esteem by all his men whom he loved as 
brothers. "With his company he was mustered out at Springfield, 
111., June 4, 1864. 

A few days after his return from the army. Captain Moore was 
captured by a fairer enemy than he ever met upon the battle-field, 
and was bound by the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Jennie 
F. Lindsay, daughter of Hon. J. T. Lindsay, of Peoria. The Lord 
has given them five children — Maggie, Linnie, Jessie, Charles and 
Herbert. Jessie died when five months old. 

Captain Moore made a profession of religion when about fifteen 
years of age, and united with the Associate Church of North 
America. In September, 1863, he returned to his place in college, 
and in addition began his course in Monmouth Theological Semi- 
nary, in October following. He graduated from the college in 
1865 with the degree of A. M,, and from the Seminary in 1867 
with the degree of B. D. 

On the fourth of April, 1866, he was licensed at South Hender- 
son, Illinois, by the United Presbyterian Presbytery, of Monmouth, 
to preach the gospel, and during May and June supplied the 
church at his old home, Hanover, Illinois, from which he after- 
ward received a call. 

Kot being satisfied with the restrictions imposed upon the pas- 
toral work by some of the "Distinctive Principles" of the old 
church, and having an earnest desire to labor in a southern field, 
he united with the O. S. Presbyterian church, because it was not 
only the most nearly in accord with his own views, but at that 
time promised the best opportunity for obtaining his cherished 
hopes, hence he united with the Presbytery of Peoria, O. S., at 
Lewistown, Illinois, April 17, 1867; but the strife that about this 
time became so bitter between the church Xorth and South, ad- 
monished him that the »service3 of a northern man to be accepta- 
ble to the south must be deferred to some future day; still he re- 
gards the gospel as the only balm for all these sad wounds. 



456 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

The first church of the O. S. for wliich he hihored was that of 
El Paso, supplying the church duriug the months of June, July 
and August, 1867. In Septemher he was called to the church at 
Macon, but owing to the destruction of their building by a torna- 
do, March 16, 1868, he gave up that work. In August ot that 
year he took charge of the church at Canton ; received a call 
March 25, 1869, and May 11 was ordained and installed. He 
labored here about five years, during which time the church 
secured a very neat and comfortable house of worship and good 
parsonage grounds. On the twenty-fifth of May, 1873, he re- 
signed, and on Sabbath, June 1, 1873, he preached for the first 
time in Macomb. In the church at this place he remained as 
stated supply until October, 1874, w4ien he was called to the regu- 
lar pastoral work, which position he yet acceptably fills. In Ma- 
comb he has enshrined himself in the afiections of the people, and 
among all classes, whether members of his own church or of 
another denomination, or even among those of the world, he is 
liighly esteemed for his work's sake. Whether it be in his own 
congregation or in union with the evangelical churches of the 
city, he labors earnestly and zealously to do bis Master's will in 
converting souls to Christ. As a public speaker he is plain, prac- 
tical and earnest, by his manner as well as by his words, carrying 
conviction to the hearts of his hearers. 

Rev. Moore is a large, portly man of good figure, and pleasant 
and agreeable in his manner — one calculated to make friends 
wherever he goes. 

RICHARD MUSSON. 

Ilichard Musson, son of Joseph and Mary (Ilobes) Mussou, was 
born in Long Clossen, Leicester county, England, April 80, 1810. 
His parents were in very moderate circumstances, hi? father fol- 
lowing the profession of boatman. Young Ixichard attended the 
public schools until he was ten years of age, when he was placed 
on the boat with his father, and for some years continued in that 
work, afterward changing it for the trade of stone-mason, which 
he continued to follow until a few short years ago. When but 
twenty years of age he came to the United States, with the hope 
of better success in a worldly point of view. The same year (1830) 
in which he arrived in the country he united in marriage with 
Miss Rebecca Thornton, by whom he had nine children, two of 
whom died in childhood, and one since her marriage — Mary J., 
wife of Rev. Abraham Newland. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 457 

For four years he made his home in the State of Xew York, 
when he came West, stopping in Morgan county, where he re- 
mained six years, and in 1840 coming to McDonough county, 
where he has since resided, living the whole period of time within 
three miles of the present town of Colchester; he, therefore, may 
well be classed as an old settler, having been a citizen of the 
county for thirty-seven years, and having experienced the hard- 
ships incidental to those who made their homes here at an early 
day. 

Although he may not have obtained the prominence of many 
others, Richard Musson is well known throughout the county, 
especially by the older settlers, while none know him but to re- 
spect the sterling worth of his character. He has always been 
a hard working man, and by the "sweat of his face" has placed 
himself in comfortable circumstcinces, so that in his declining 
y^ears, he can pass quietly along, and when the summons shall 
come, he can answer, "Here, Lord, am I." 

In 1829, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
up to the present time, a period of forty-eight years, has ever been 
a consistent member of that branch of the Christian church. 
For years he has occupied the position of class leader, and, in that 
capacity, has done efficient work in his Master's cause. AVe be- 
lieve it will be written of him in that great day, like one of old, "He 
hath done what he could." Xo better epitaph could be placed 
upon the monument of any one than this. 

Richard Musson has always been an earnest advocate of free 
schools, urging their importance upon those with whom he has 
been brought in contact, realizing ignorance and sin go hand in 
hand, while knowledge and righteousness dwell together. The 
efficient schools of his own town are in a measure due to him. 

THOMAS A. MUSTAIN. 

Thomas A. Mustain was the third son of John and Elizabeth 
(Glenn) Mustain, and was born in Pittsylvania county, Virginia, 
on the thirteenth day of January, 1817. He is a full-blooded Vir- 
ginian, both his parents being natives of that State. When 
fifteen years of age Thomas came with them to this State and 
county, where he has since continued to reside, and where he is 
well known by all our people. He has never followed any other 
occupation than that of farming, living with and assisting his 
parents until he reached his majority, when, together with his 



458 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

brother, he purchased the farm of John W. Woodside, on section 
sixteen of Blandinsville township, which farm adjoined that of 
his father. Here he lived and toiled until the year 18G5, when he 
purchased a portion of section nine of the same township, to 
which he removed, and where he has one of the best improved 
farms in the county, and on which he had built, in 1874, one of 
the largest and best brick dwellings in the county, one in which 
he can entertain a host of friends in true A^irginia stj'le. He is 
now the possessor of some of the best land in the county. Up 
to this time (1865) Mr. Mustain had successfully resisted all the 
arts and wiles of the fair sex, and had been given over as one of 
the unregenerate who would never submit to the better part ; but 
strange things will occur, and we find the bachelor armor broken, 
and on the fifteenth day of March, 1865, he was united in mar- 
riage with Martha E. Charter, daughter of the well known Jona- 
than Charter, another of the old pioneers of the county — one of 
those who endured the trials and privations of a frontier life that 
we might reap the benefit thereof. The result of this union has 
been six children, two of whom, before they had experienced any 
of the hardships of this world, were translated into that upper 
and better kingdom which is above. 

In 1844, when the Mormon difficulties had assumed such pro- 
portions as to become neceseary for the Governor of the State to 
call out its militia, Mr. Mustain enrolled his name and was 
chosen lieutenant of a company under command of George W. 
Blandin. For this service he received from the State the munifi- 
cent sum of thirteen dollars and forty-four cents. 

Mr. Mustain has never held public office of any kind, and has 
never aspired thereto, being content to be of that vast number 
who remain in obscurity to till the soil and lend strong hands and 
willing hearts to the advancement of local interests. The family 
of which he is a membr have done much for the improvement and 
welfare of Blandinsville township, and some of the best farms in 
it are held by them. 

Thomas A. Mustain is full six feet in height and weighs about 
215 pounds. He is a man who takes life in an easy manner, at- 
tending to his own affairs in his own way and interfering with no 
others. lie is mild in government in the family circle, and as a 
neighbor he is all that is implied in the word. In poli- 
tics he is a Democrat of the old school, serving his party 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 459 

ill a faithful manner. If be ever scratches his ticket we do not 
know it. He is now a member of the Democratic county central 
committee and lends his counsel and influence to the general suc- 
cess of the party. 

HON. WILLIAM II. NEECE. 

i^o man inMcDonough county is better known or more univer- 
sally esteemed than William II. JSTeece, who was born in Sanga- 
mon county, Illinois, on the twenty-sixth day of February, 1831, 
and brought by his parents to this county when only two months 
old. Here he has continued to reside to the present time. His 
parents were Jesse and Mary D. (Maupin) Neece; his father a 
Kentuckian by birth, while his mother was a native of Virginia. 
The elder Keece was a man of sterling worth, and in the early 
day was a man of some note. He died in 1869. The early life of 
Wm. H. !Isreece was passed on a farm and in attendance upon the 
common schools in this county — lie never having had the advan- 
tage of a collegiate education. Until twenty-four he remained 
upon a farm, engaging in its laborious work. In 1857 he entered 
the law office of Judge John S. I3ailey, for the purpose of read- 
ing law, which he had decided to adopt as a profession. For 
about one year he pursued his studies, and in 1858, having passed 
a creditable examination, was admitted to the bar, and to-day 
no man ranks higher in the profession in this county. Although 
not possessed of the thorough literary education of many others, 
liis great energy and sterling common sense, his aptness in 
collecting and arranging evidence, have placed him in the 
front rank of his chosen profession. In criminal practice Mr. 
Xeece has especially secured an enviable reputation, and there 
has probably not been an important trial for murder either in 
this or adjoining counties for a number of years but in which he 
has been engaged. In the celebrated Bond trials, both of Miles 
Bond, at Kushville, and John and James Bond, at Macomb, for 
the murder of William II. Randolph, Mr. Neece was the chief at- 
torney for the defense, and to him more than to any other do the 
Bonds owe their release. He it was who collected, arranged and 
sifted all the evidence presented. No stone was left unturned that 
was beneficial to his clients; every flaw in the in.dictmentor in the 
evidence of the prosecution was detected and used to the advan- 
tage of himself and clients. In this lies the great success of Mr. 
Xeece as an attorney; his patient investigation of a case and the 



460 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

zeal with which he works it up, enables him to triumph over all 
opposition. All the minor points, so often overlooked by the aver- 
age attorney, and on which the merits of a case so frequently de- 
pend, are looked after as closely as those points open and 
apparent to all. Another case of great importance, and which 
required a large amount of patient investigation, was the trial of 
Thomas Johnson for murder. This was a change of venue from 
Henderson county, the home of the man charged with the com- 
mission of the crime, to McDonough. The same untiring eftbrts 
were made in this case as in the other, and with like result. As- 
sociated in the case were R. G. Ingersoll, J. W. Davidson, and 
Charles Harris, for the defense, and C. F. Wheat, William Mc- 
Kenzie, and J. J. Glenn, for the prosecution, an array of talent 
the equal of the same number of men to be secured anywhere in 
the State. Again, in the case of Tuttle, for the murder of Miles 
Matteson, a case from Colchester, in this county, Mr. Neece was 
chief attorney in the defense. The jury hung, and the case was 
taken to Schuyler on a change of venue. In this case Mr. I^eece 
did not secure the acquittal of his client, but obtained the shortest 
sentence possible under the circumstances. 

In general practice Mr. I^eece has been equally successful and 
pursues the same course for the benefit of his clients as in crim- 
inal practice, and in the prosecution of cases in the United States 
Bankrupt Court has had more business than any other attorney 
in the county, if not all combined. Also as a counsellor, lie is safe 
and practical, and, in connection with the law upon the subject, 
makes use of that useful commodity called common sense in bas- 
ing his opinions. 

As a politician Mr. Neece is a Democrat of the old school, the 
principles of that time-honored party being inborn in him, and he 
is ever ready to defend them with the same zeal characterizing 
him in other walks of life. On several occasions has he been hon- 
ored by the party with nominations for ofhce, and a nomina- 
tion has usually been equivalent to an election. In 1864 ho re- 
ceived the nomination for Representative in the Illinois Legislature 
and was triumphantly elected; again in 1870 with like result. In 
1868 he was elected member of the Constitutional Convention 
that formed our present Constitution. In each of these capaci- 
ties, he served his constituents in a faithful manner, attending 
closely to the business for which he was elected, rendering, in 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 461 

general, satisfaction to men of all parties. In 1872 he received 
the nomination for Congress from the tenth Congressional Dis- 
trict, of which McDouough county forms a part, and although 
running one thousand votes ahead of his ticket he was defeated. 
It is due to Mr. ISTeece to say he has never ran for office without 
running ahead of his ticket, being personally popular all over the 
county, and wherever known. The reason for this will be shown 
further on. He has always been nominated against the best men 
of the opposition. 

As previously remarked, Mr. ISTeece lived with his parents (who 
came to this county on the second day of April, 1831, and settled 
upon a farm two miles south of Colchester), until his twentieth 
year. In the fall of 1850 he engaged in chopping wood on the 
Illinois river, and in the winter worked in a pork house for 
Charley Farwell (well known to old settlers), in Frederick. In 
the spring and summer of 1851 he broke prairie on Tennessee 
prairie, and in the winter following attended school in Macomb, 
taught by D. S. Hampton, Esq. In the spring of 1852 he essayed 
to teach school in Walnut Grove township, which, as a faithful 
biographer, we must confess was not a success. But this did not 
deter him from again attempting the work, and we Und him the 
winter following again engaged in teaching near the present loca- 
tion of Colchester. In this school he achieved better success, but 
probably not enough to cause him to adopt that business as a pro- 
fession, as this is the last account we have of him engaged in like 
occupation. 

In the spring of 1853, wishing to better his fortunes, he deter- 
mined on emigrating to the land of gold, and, in company with 
his brother, George W. Neece, and family, he crossed the plains 
with an ox team, arriving in Portland, Oregon, the September 
following. Here he only remained one month, when he proceeded 
to California, where, after making an unsuccessful attempt at 
mining, he engaged as a cook in a hotel operated on the European 
plan, in the city of Sacramento. This business he followed until 
the spring of 1854, when he again engaged in mining in company 
with his brother George, in the vicinity of Grass Valley, continuing 
the same in Nevada county until the fifteenth of May, J 855, when 
both returned to old McDonough. 

lu the fall of 1856 Mr. Neece engaged as purchasing agent for 
the real estate firm of J. II. Baker & Co., in the city of Macomb, 



4G2 HISTORY OF M'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

which business he followed for one year. In this business he 
traveled over many States, meeting with great success. 

On the third day of May, 1857, he was united in marriage to 
Miss Jenuette Ingles, with whom he lives a happy and contented 
life. Three children, all of whom are yet living, have blessed 
their union. The family reside in a pleasant and comfortable 
home in the western part of the city of Macomb. 

In searching for incidents in the life of Mr. Neece for this 
sketch we ran across the following article, published in the Ma- 
comb Journal August 14, 1873: 

"About 3 o'clock A. M. Monday last William H. Neece. Esq., of this- city, was awakened 
by a noise in his sleeping room. On opening his eyes he was somewhat startled to see, 
by the light of a full shining moon, a stalwart fellow in the act of appropriating his 
pocket-book. Fully convinced that the man was a burglar, without awaiting an intro- 
duction, Mr. Neece gave a backhanded blow, at the same time jumping out of bed, and 
in solid battle line charged the enemy. The burglar was about as thoroughly startled by 
the sudden onslaught of the plucky lawyer as the lawyer was at first sighting the thief,, 
but he soon showed that he didn't mean to stand and see himself whipped and cap- 
tured, and the result was one of the most sharply contested fights that ever came off in 
Macomb. 'Brother Neece' handed the thief the hospitalities of his house in the shape of 
chairs, etc., in a lively manner, and the fellow responded with his fists and chairs which 
he wi-ested from his antagonist in the best style he knew how. Two or three times around 
the room did the men fight, and the thief made an effort to escape and ran into another 
room. Mr. Neece pursued, and here the combat was renewed. After a time they emerged 
into the open air, and in the yard the fight was kept up until both were utterly exhausted. 
The thief was the largest and strongest of the two, and Mr. Neece was unable to hold or 
wrest his pocket-book from him. The house is quite remote from others, and it was not 
until after the robber had decamped that assistance, for which Mrs. Neece ran in the be- 
ginning of the affair, came. When it did come Mr. N. was lying in the yard where he 
had fainted from pure exhaustion.'' 

This shows that he is a man not to be trifled with, and even if 
small in stature he can stand up for his rights. 

William II. Neece is of slender but well knit proportions, light 
hair and beard, the latter worn only upon the chin. As a hus- 
band and father he is kind and pleasant, as a friend and neighbor 
sympathetic and benevolent, as a citizen is alive to every public 
interest, and not as a politician but as a representative of the 
whole body does he work for the public good. From what has 
been written it can easily be inferred he is a,man of the people. 
He has experienced the hardships and perils ot a pioneer life, 
and can sympathize with that class in all they are called upon to 
endure. By the "sweat of his face" he has toiled day after day 
for the necessaries of life and therefore knoAvs the sorrows ot the 
poor. His personal popularity is almost unbounded, especially 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 463 

among the class last mentioned, whose friend he has always been, 
and when a candidate for public office these facts are taken into 
consideration, the consequence being that he receives the votes of 
very many of the opposition. Such, in brief, is William 11. 
Xeece. A bright future is doubtless yet before liim. 

ABKAHAM NEWLAND, JR. 

The subject of this sketch is a native of England, having been 
born in the town of Evenwood, county of Durham, on the third 
(lay of February, 1838. His parents were Abraham and Sarah 
(E^orter) Xewland, also of the same country, people in very mod- 
erate circumstances — so poor, in fact, that their son was only per- 
mitted to attend the common schools of his native town from the 
time he was five years of age until he was eight, at w^hich time 
he w^as placed in the coal mines of that country. During the first 
three years he was only compelled to w^ork from three to four days 
each week, but after that time six days was he required to labor. 
For several years he never saw daylight but once each week, 
going to his work each morning before day, and never returning 
until night. In the mine where he first worked, and during the 
Avhole time in which he remained, there was used for pumping 
water the first engine constructed for use on a locomotive. This 
engine is now kept in a glass case in the town of Darlington, 
Durham count}', England, and was seen by Mr. i^ewland when on 
a visit to his native country a few years ago. 

The father of Abraham K'ewland was a God-fearing man and 
an earnest Christian, one who endeavored to bring up his children 
in the "fear and admonition of the Lord," and when his son was 
still an infant, he carried him in his arms to the Sabbath school. 
Here and at the family altar was sown the "good seed of the 
word," which in after years bore fruit, and we trust will continue 
to bear fruit an hundred fold. 

The opportunity for obtaining a competency in the old world is 
poor indeed to those born in povert}', so in 1853 the father of 
Abraham sailed for the United States, and two years thereafter 
sent for his family. On the twenty-ninth day of July 1855, Abra- 
ham, with his mother and the rest of the family, left their native 
shores, sailing for Xew York, at which place they arrived in due 
time, and from thence coming west to LaSallc, in this State, 
where the husband and father had obtained employment in the 
coal mines of that county. For two years they remained there, 



464 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

when tbey proceeded further west, settling in the town of Col- 
chester, this county, in the year 1857, at which place they yet re- 
main. Employment was at once obtained in the coal mines by 
father and son, and until the year 1862 Abraham continued to 
work faithfully and to the satisfaction of his employers and his 
own conscience. Although but a young man, he was recognized 
as a leader among his fellow miners, and in all cases where a 
spokesman was required to make known their wants and desires 
to their employers, he was put forward as their representative. 
As before remarked, he continued to work in the mines until the 
year 1862, at which time he enlisted as a private in Capt. Brink's 
company, 124tli liegiment Illinois Volunteers, to serve three years 
or during the war. The men at this time desired him to accept 
the office of lieutenant, but this he refused for one older in years. 
He was appointed by the captain fourth sergeant, but at the re- 
quest of the men he was made orderly sergeant of the company. 
In this capacity he went out, serving as such until promoted. As 
probably well known by our readers, the 124th did excellent ser- 
vice in the war, and no man in the entire regiment showed more 
bravery or discharged his duty more faithfully than the coal dig- 
ger, Abraham I^ewland, Jr. At the battle of Eaymond, Miss., 
while an orderly sergeant, he commanded the company, there be- 
ing no commissioned officer present, and for bravery upon the 
battle field he was commended by the colonel, who promised him 
promotion. 

At the battle of Champion Hills, a few days thereafter, he was 
shot through the jaw, and falling upon the field, was reported as 
killed. Life being discovered in him, he was taken up and re- 
moved to the hospital, and word was given out that he was mor- 
tally wounded. At the hospital the surgeon of his regiment 
discovered him, and took him in charge. A cot was provided, and 
he was placed thereon, when the surgeon ordered some brandy and 
water to be given him. JS'ot being able to speak, he motioned 
the mixture away with his hand; he was still urged to partake, 
but still refused, when the doctor, losing his patience, turned on 
his lieel, saying, "D — n him, let him die." As soon as his passion 
liad cooled the doctor returned and dressed his wounds, making 
him as comfortable as possible. For weeks he suffered, until 
finally the wound healed and he was again restored to active duty. 
One of the lieutenants of his company resigning, an application 



HISTORY OF M'DONOUcni COUNTY 465 

was made to have him commissioned to fill the vacancy, but 
before the matter was completed Captain Brink resigned and he 
received the appointment and was duly commissioned as Captain 
and the command of the company given him. This position he 
retained during the remainder of the war, receiving the respect 
of his men and duly honored by his brother officers. On the fif- 
teenth day of August, 1865, the regiment was discharged and 
Captain Xewland returned home to meet his wife and little ones 
and take his position in civil life once more. 

The life of a miner was never agreeable to Captain Kewland, 
and he had determined long before this to change it should the 
opportunity offer. We therefore find him within two weeks from 
the time of his return home opening out a stock of dry goods and 
groceries, investing in the business all the money he brought with 
him from the army, amounting to the sum of eleven hundred dol- 
lars. Kearly twelve years has since elapsed, and we find the little 
stock increased to an extent requiring a large room for storing 
the goods and the trade of the house increased in proportion; we 
find he has continually added to his capital; that investments 
made by him have increased w^onderfully, and to-day he is in pos- 
session of a sum that would enable him to retire from active life 
and live at ease. All this as a legitimate growth of business en- 
terprise and sagacity. 

At the age of fifteen Captain Newland experienced religion 
and united with the Primitive Methodist Church, with which 
body he retained membership until his removal to this country. 
There being no congregation of that order in the community in 
which be made his home, he united with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. In the organization of that church in Colchester, in 
1858, he formed one of the original members, and has since taken 
an active part in all its work. In 1860 he became a licensed ex- 
horter, receiving the appointment from Rev. Richard Ilaney, then 
presiding elder for this district. When he returned home from 
the army he received from the conference a license ta preach, since 
which time he has continued to labor in word and doctrine. He 
has never asked for a regular appointment as pastor, believing he 
could accomplish as much good in the local work as in the regu- 
lar field. Xearly every Sabbath he preaches for some of the 
neighboring churches, and on funeral occasions his services have 
specially been in demand. It is said he preaches more discourses 



46fi HISTORY OF BI'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

of this nature than any reguhir minister in the county. In Sun- 
day school work he is especially pre-eminent, having from child- 
hood taken great interest in this part of the Lord's vineyard. In 
all the neighborhood Sunday school conventions he is called upon 
to take an active part, and in the county work he is behind none. 

Captain Newland has been twice married, the first time to Miss 
Mary J. Mussou, daughter of Ilichard Musson, Esq., the ceremony 
taking place on the third day of March, 1859. By her he had 
five children, two only of whom are now living, three of the chil- 
dren, with their mother, having passed over the river to the better 
land, where, in that beautiful city whose streets are paved with 
gold, they wait the coming of other loved ones. Mrs. Newland 
died on the fifteenth day of January, 1871, in the full assurance 
of hope. On the eighteenth day of June, 1872, he was again mar- 
ried, leading to the altar Miss Annie Musson, a sister of his de- 
ceased wife. 

Abraham Newland is a man of medium height, light com- 
plexion, blue eyes, light hair and beard, a well developed head, 
and is every inch a man. No man stands higher in the commu- 
nity than he, and none deserves more from his fellow-citizens. He 
is a pleasant, agreeable gentleman, having a heart overflowing 
with love of humanity, a friend to the poor, and above all, a true 
Christian. In the home circle he is kind and affectionate ; in the 
church an earnest worker; as a citizen he has the good of all at 
heart and works to advance the interests of his adopted town 
and county as much as his own individual interests. Would we 
had more Abraham Xewlands. 

ASA K. OWEN. 

The subject of our present sketch is now in the prime of life, 
having been born on the twenty-sixth day of March, 1838, in 
Philometh, Indiana. His parents were Asaland Elizabeth (Graf- 
ton) Owen, the former being a native of Kentucky, and the latter 
of Virginia. At the birth of Asa his father was in good circum- 
stances, but shortly after became unfortunate, losing his all, and 
like thousands of others, sought new fields of labor, coming to 
McDonough county in 1811, here living, with the exception of 
about five years spent in Adams county, this State, until the^day 
of his death. The educational advantages of Asa were limited 
to the common schools of this county, and a few month's] at- 
tendance in the High School of Professors Barge and Cannon, in 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 467 

Macomb ; but notwithstanding, by constant application and study 
at home he has mastered nearly all the sciences usually taught in 
the academies and colleges of the "West. About nine years of his 
life has been spent in teaching, choosing this as a profession, it 
being well suited to his taste and more lucrative than any other 
business requiring no capital but talents. He has occupied the 
position of teacher in several different States of the Union, hav- 
ing taught in the High School of St. Paris, Ohio, and in various 
schools of this State and Missouri. At the breaking out of the 
war in 1861, he was teaching in this latter State, and on 
account of his Free-soil and Union principles, was invited to 
leave. He at once returned home and began the work of raising 
recruits for the army, but on account of ill-health he was refused 
enrollment himself, which was a great disappointment, as it was 
his desire to do all he could in the defense of his country. Al- 
though his services were declined in the field, yet at home he 
could work for the cause, and no more loyal man could be found 
in the county than Asa K. Owen. As a "mite" he contributed to 
the songs of his country a battle hymn entitled "During the Bat- 
tle," which was published by H. M. Higgins, one of the leading 
music publishers of the country. For a number of years past Mr. 
Owen has contributed, over various nom de plumes^ considerable to 
the press of the country, both prose and poetry. His articles are all 
well written, and, as will be observed elsewhere in this work, are 
very readable and of much interest. "The McDonough County Pio- 
neers," and " Autumn in McDonough County, " will appeal to 
every one. 

On the twenty-sixth day of March, 1865 (the anniversary of his 
birth), he led to the marriage altar Miss IS". A. Edmundson. 
Three children hath the Lord given them, one of whom has 
passed over the river and dwells on the other side ; two yet re- 
main to add joy and comfort to their parents' hearts. 

Mr. Owen is a member of the ]SIethodist Episcopal Church, hav- 
ing united with that body in 1868, under the ministration of Elder 
Underwood, by whom he was baptized. Since becoming identi- 
fied with the body of Christ, he has endeavored to use such talents 
as the Lord has given him for the advancement of the Redeemer's 
cause. He has for some time held the ofiice of steward in his own 
congregation, and also that of district steward. The steward is 
the financial officer of the M. E. Church, and corresponds to that 



468 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

of deacon in other churches. In the Sunday School work he also 
takes great interest, realizing its great importance and laboring 
zealously in the good cause. 

In the western part of the county, where he is l)e.st known, Mr. 
Owen is quite popular, and as a member of the Kepublican party, 
he wields considerable influence. On several occasions lie has 
been pressed by his friends to run for public office, but only 
once has his name been submitted to the people — in 1873, when 
he received the nomination for County Clerk at a very unfortun- 
ate time, as the farmers and laboring classes were then generally 
excited over the cry of monopoly uttered against the manufactur- 
ing and mercantile classes, and uniting under the name of Anti- 
Monopoly party, swept the country like a whirlwind. One satis- 
faction was aftbrded Mr. Owen when the result of the canvass was 
made known : he ran ahead of his ticket considerably, notwith- 
standing there were on it other very popular men. He has been 
honored by his township and town on several occasions, and has 
served as Postmaster of Tennessee for some years. We yet 
believe his services will be called forth by his party and his fellow- 
citizens. 

In 1865 he opened a stock of general merchandise in Tennessee, 
and has continued in the mercantile business ever since — a period 
of twelve years. lie has also the greater portion of the time en- 
gaged in the grain trade, purchasing for shipment, the small 
grain brought to that market. Success has crowned his efforts, 
and to-day we find him in good comfortable circumstances, every 
dollar of his wealth gained by a life of toil in a straight forward 
legitimate way. Some three years ago he purchased a farm lying 
one mile west of town on which he resides with his family. The 
farm is well improved, with a good comfortable house in which 
to live, and where, surrounded by wife and children, he can enjoy 
lite. 

Asa K. Owen is about five feet eight inches in height, good 
proportions, well developed head, black hair and eyes, full, flow- 
ing, black beard, and of good address. No man stands higher in 
the community than he, none deserves more from his fellow-cit- 
izens. As a friend and neighbor he is kind and benevolent, as a 
husband and father, he rules with love and receives the love of 
all in return. 



HISTORY OF m'domougii county. 469 

IS 4 AC N. PEARSON. 

McDonoiigh county has been especially fortunate in the selec- 
tion of her county officers, never since its organization to the 
present time having lost a dollar by the betra3'al of her trusts, 
and no man ever served more faithfully than Isaac N. Pearson, 
the present efficient Circuit Clerk, who was born in Centerville, 
Pennsylvania, July 27, 1842. His parents were Isaac S. andLydia 
(Painter) Pearson, both natives of Pennsylvania. His father was 
for many years engaged in the mercantile business and served his 
county (Butler) in the Legislature of his native State. In 1846 
after bidding his family good-bye, he departed for Philadelphia to 
purchase goods. While there he was taken sick with the fever, 
from which he never recovered, and diedintbat city far from 
home and kindred, none of the family ever being permitted to see 
his face again. He was buried by the Society of Friends in that 
city, being connected by birth with that body of faithful disciples 
of Christ. Mrs. Pearson, with the family, shortly after her hus- 
band's death, went to New Castle, Lawrence county, which place 
she made her home until the year 1849, when she removed to 
Hancock county this State, settling near the town of La Harpe, 
where she resided until her removal to Macomb in 1858. In this 
latter place she resided until her death, which occurred on the 
third day of March, 1872, being at the time sixty-six years of age, 
departing this life on the anniversary day of her birth. Mrs. 
Pearson, when but eighteen years of age, made a profession of re- 
ligion, uniting with the M. E. church, with which body she re- 
mained a consistent and faithful member until called to join the 
angelic throng above. She was a woman univei'sally respected by 
all who knew her, and combined in her being many rare qualities 
which go to make the true woman and mother. Her funeral was 
largely attended. Pev. Henderson Ritchie, who had long been 
intimately acquainted with her, delivering the funeral discourse : 
"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord ; yea, and from hence 
forth they shall rest from their labors and their works do follow 
them." 

Isaac N. Pearson, of whom we now write, was the youngest of 
seven children, all of whom grew to men and women's estate, five 
of whom yet dwell upon this side of the river of death. With 
his mother he made such removals from place to place as pre- 

11—30 



470 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

viously mentioned, passing the first eight years of his life in a 
town, and the eight following upon a farm. The only education- 
al advantages enjoyed by him were in the common schools and 
two years attendance in the select school ot Prof. J. W. Mathews, 
in Macomb, in the years of 1856-57. In 1861, he entered the of- 
fice of J. B. Cummings, Circuit Clerk of the county, serving as 
Recorder until he became of age, when he received the appoint- 
ment from Mr. Cummings as Deputy Circuit Clerk, which posi- 
tion he filled acceptably until the expiration of Mr. Cumming's 
term of office. In the spring of 1865, he went to Bushnell to take 
a position in the banking house of Messrs. Chandler & Cummings, 
■with whom he remained until the fall of 1868, when he again re- 
ceived the appointment of Deputy Circuit Clerk, this time from 
B. F. Pinkley, then elected to the office of Circuit Clerk of the 
county. This position he retained for the four years' term of 
Captain Pinkley, giving such satisfaction to the people that in 
1872, he received the unanimous uomination by his party for the 
same office. iN'otwithstanding some opposition to him on account 
of his being a young man, he was triumphantly elected, receiving 
a greater majority than any man on the ticket. Again in 1876 he 
was renominated by acclamation, and again elected by a majority 
greater than any other, being three hundred votes ahead of his 
ticket, thus proving that the people believe it no crime to be a 
young man and that faithful service should be rewarded. The 
popularity of Mr. Pearson with the people is great indeed, but 
easily accounted for. He is always pleasant and accommodating 
to all; every visitor to his office, whether on business or not, is 
treated in a gentlemanly manner; his own private business, or the 
duties of the public office which he holds, is never neglected. 
Having business that brings him into daily intercourse with men 
of all parties, they have a chance to learn the qualities of the man, 
and show their appreciation for him by giving him their votes for 
office. Many of the strongest men of the opposition party never 
think of voting for another when he is a candidate. 

Mr. Pearson is a thorough and consistent Republican, the princi- 
ples of that party being "bred in the bone," but he never allows 
his love of party to deter him from duty as a public officer. As a 
citizen he is ever ready to engage in any good word or work sat- 
isfactory to his judgment, and in all enterprises as are of a public 
benefit and calculated to advance the best interests of the town or 
county. Benevolence with him is a ruling passion, and we find 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 471 

Lim connected with, and an active member of, the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen, the Masons, and Odd Fellows. In this lat- 
ter body he has passed all the chairs, both in the Subordinate 
Lodge and Encampment, having also represented the lodge in the 
Grand Lodge of the State. 

Mr. Pearson is a man five feet eleven inches and a half in 
height, dark hair, brown eyes, and of good proportions physically. 
No man in the county has a larger circle ot friends and acquaint- 
ances, and none are more greatly esteemed. Through his own 
exertion, without assistance from any, he has accumulated a fair 
share of this world's goods, which will doubtless be used for the 
good of the public as well as his ow^n individual profit. A bright 
future is doubtless yet before him. 

JOSEPH E. PORTER. 

Joseph E. Porter, son of jSToah and jSTabby (Comins) Porter, 
was born in Wendell, Franklin county, Mass., July 9, 1821. His 
parents were born at the same place in 1795. There were eleven 
children, including the subject of this sketch, nine of whom 
grew to man's estate. They received their education principally 
at New Salem Academy, New Salem, Massachusetts, whither 
their father had removed for the purpose of giving them this ad- 
vantage. One attended Harvard College. The father and broth- 
ers were all highly respected and esteemed where they resided 
and all were honored with public office. The oldest brother was 
for fifteen years a Selectman and Justice of the Peace, one 
brother was a member of the State Senate of New Hampshire, 
and another has held the position of cashier of the First National 
Bank of Keene, N. H., for a period of twenty-five years, and still 
another has been a practicing physician in Old Deerlield, Massa- 
chusetts, for a period of twenty-five years. Warren, the youngest 
of the family, was a citizen of this county for some years, and 
went into the army and for a time was Lieutenant of Company L, 
7th Illinois Cavalry. He is now Superintendent of the graded 
schools at Bridgeport, Conn., which position he has filled for 
some years. 

Joseph was reared on a farm, and worked hard from the time 
he was large enough to take hold of the plow. His habits in 
youth were exemplary, moral, upright and straightforward. He 
remained with his father until he attained his majority, shortly 
after which period he was joined in marriage with Miss Susan M. 



472 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Cogswell, ami left the parental roof and hired out to Avork on a 
farm. He worked eight mouths for one man for ^14 per month, 
and during that time lost but half a day, on which occasion he 
took his wife to town, and his employer charged him seventy-five 
cents for the use of the horse. While working for these wages he 
paid $3 for a church pew and ten cents each Sunday for the privi- 
lege of sending his wife to church, besides keeping up the ordi- 
nary expenses of his family, notwithstanding which he managed 
to save $100 a year out of his earnings. 

Mr. Porter has been farming all his life, with the exception of 
one year, when he w^as engaged in the bakery business, at Fram- 
ingham, Mass. lie invested $1,000 in the business, all of which 
was lost. 

In 1855 Mr. Porter came to Illinois with his father on a visit to 
his brothers, Lyman and Reuben, who were living in this county. 
While here his father died ; his remains were taken back to Massa- 
chusetts. In the spring of 1856 Mr. Porter removed to this county, 
locating on the farm on which he now resides, section 4, Kew 
Salem township. At that time it was raw, wild prairie, now it is 
one of the finest farms in the county, containing four hundred 
acres of well cultivated land, with good improvements thereon. 
He is one of McDonough's heavy stock feeders, engaging in this 
business very extensively. 

Mr. Porter has been three times elected, and for three years 
served in the McDonough county Board of Supervisor from New 
Salem township, and for fifteen years has been School Trustee of 
the same township, most of the time Chairman of the Board of 
Trustees. He has always manifested due interest in the afl'airs of 
his township, especially in the educational department, and the 
good schools in the community are in a great measure the result 
of his labor and attention in that behalf. 

In 1845 Mr. Porter became a member of the Congregational 
Church, at Framingham, Mass., being baptised by the Rev. Q. 'N. 
Tarbox. His wife united at the same time. In 1856 he united 
with the Presbyterian Church, at Bardolph, and in 1867 united 
with the Congregational Church of Macomb, and is now a com- 
municant in the latter church. 

Mr. Porter is the father of five children, two sons and three 
daughters, three of whom are now living, the other two having 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 473 

been translated beyond the rolling river, where they await the re- 
union of all the loved ones in the beautiful home of the blessed. 

A son, Lester W., was killed in battle at Memphis, Tenn., 
August 21, 1864, during the rebel General Forrest's raid on that 
city. He was in Company I, 137th Regiment Illinois Volunteers. 

Mr. Porter is about five feet ten inches in height, and a stout, 
well built man, and usually in the enjoyment of perfect health. 
In his neighborhood and wherever known, he enjoys the respect 
and confidence of all. In the family circle he is pleasant and 
agreeable, receiving the love and affection of every member 
thereof. It is hoped he may be spared many years to fill useful 
positions in society. 

HON. WILLIAM II. RANDOLPH. 

David and Rebecca (Sutphen) Randolph, the parents of William 
H., were natives of the State of ISTew Jersey, which place they 
left at an early day, removing to the State of Kentucky, where 
they remained but a short time, emigrating from thence to Warren 
county, Ohio, where the subject of our present sketch was born on 
the twentieth day of August, 1813, near the town of Lebanon. 
They were, as regards wealth, in moderate circumstances, but de- 
sired to give their son such opportunities for future usefulness as 
their means would allow, having him educated for one of the learned 
professions, but it was willed otherwise. The early years of 
his life were spent with his parents on a farm, and in attendance 
on the common schools of the neighborhood. In youth were fore- 
shadowed the traits of character which afterward predominated 
in his life; he was brave, impulsive, kind and forbearing; a defender 
of the weak and oppressed. 

When about sixteen or seventeen yeaj's of age he went to learn 
the trade of a fuller, or manufacturer of woolen goods, continuing 
with the firm until he reached his majority, when he determined 
to seek other and greater fields of labor, and came to Rushville, 
Schuyler county, in- this State, where he remained a few months, 
and from thence came to Macomb, in this county, where he re- 
sided until the day of his death. As has been remarked, his par- 
ents desired that he should prepare himself for one of the learned 
professions, for that purpose having him take a regular collegiate 
course, but William thought a trade preferable, and therefore 
learned one as previously stated. When he arrived in Macomb 
he had between three hundred and four hundred dollars which he 



474 HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGH COUNTY. 

invested in a small stock of groceries. Continuing in that branch 
of business until elected to the ofiice of sherifi of the county, in 
1838, to which office he was twice re-elected, viz., in 1840 and 1842. 
In 1844 he was elected as a member of the House of Representa- 
tives of the Illinois Legislature, and re-elected in 1846. In 1848 
he was elected to the office of Circuit Clerk of the county and re- 
elected in 1852, serving until 1856. Thus for eighteen years with- 
out intermission, he held public offices in the county, on each oc- 
casion of his election running ahead of his ticket, being always 
popular before the people. He was never beaten for office. 

In 1854, in company with Joseph M. Parkinson, Joseph W. 
Blount and M. T. Winslow, he opened the first banking house in 
McDonough County. For two years, or over, this institution pros- 
pered greatly, but in an evil hour, the company was persuaded 
into an arrangement Avith T. L. McCoy, of Galesburg, by which, 
they invested some ?20,000 in the Kemaha Valley Bank, issuing a 
certain percent, of the amount in notes, for which part only they 
were to be held responsible, the arrangement being that any bank- 
ing institution investing in the enterprise should be compelled to 
redeem only its own issue; but a further arrangement was made 
with the different parties that all notes presented at either of their 
banking houses, whether of the series issued by themselves or not, 
might be redeemed and sent to their respective banks for final re- 
demption. When the crash came in 1858, when the liemaha Val- 
ley Bank bubble burst, Messrs. Randolph & Co. redeemed their 
whole issue, and over $5000 of the notes of other parties, for which 
they never obtained value received. This firm would not suspend 
until they found it was utterly impossible ever to recover from the 
other parties, and then, and not until then, did they close their 
doors. The loss of Mr. J^andolph alone, by reason of the failure 
of others to make good their promises, was over |100,000. To his 
honor be it said, not a man ever lost a dollar by him. Unlike 
many others, he did not compromise with his creditors for a few 
cents on the dollar and then open out in grander style than ever, 
but continued, as fast as it was possible, to pay off his indebted- 
ness, and when death called him away he was almost clear before 
the world. One year more would probably have placed him in the 
same position he occupied before the crash came. 

Mr. Randolph was a man of great public spirit, and his means 
were used not only to increase his own wealth but for the public 



HISTORY OF M DONOUGH COUNTY. 475 

good. In 1856 he began the erection of the well known Randolph 
Hotel and finished it in the following year. This stands to-day a 
monument of the public enterprise of the man. As a pecuniary 
investment it has never paid nor ever can. It stands an honor to 
the city and as a free will offering to the pride of the people. 

During this same year in which the erection of the hotel was 
began, he laid off for a public cemetery a tract of land just north 
of the city, comprising eleven acres, which he christened Oakwood 
Cemeter3\ For ^'ears the town had felt the want for a suitable 
place for the burial of the dead. The old cemetery, west of town, 
was too small and very inconvenient to the citizens of the place, 
and with his accustomed liberality and public spirit, Mr. Randolph 
selected the prettiest and most eligible spot adjoining the town for 
this " City of the Dead." 

On the twenty-sixth day of January, 1837, he led to the marriage 
altar Miss Matilda Jane Brooking, daughter of the well known 
and much respected old pioneer, Thomas Brooking, Esq., with 
whom he happily lived until the day of his death. It has been 
said by those who have been intimate with the couple, and who 
were members of the family for some years, they never heard a 
harsh word pass between them. The troubles Mr. R. experienced 
during his eventful life were never suffered to mar the happiness 
of the family circle, and when together, all cares, trials and disap- 
pointments were banished, and they lived in the enjoyment of the 
hour. Xo children ever blessed their union. 

In 1853 Mr. Randolph engaged in the real estate business, in 
company with J. M. Parkinson, under the firm name of Randolph, 
Parkinson & Co., continuing the same until November 3, 1856, 
when the firm disposed of their interests to McLean, Randolph & 
Co. The operations of this company were confined to the region 
known as the Military Tract, comprising some sixteen counties, 
lying between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, and, for a time, 
were very extensive. Several very fortunate ventures were made, 
in which were realized a handsome sum of money, adding materi- 
ally to the wealth of Mr. R. Having an extensive acquaintance 
throughout the section, and knowing well the geography and 
topograhy of the country, he was always qualified to judge of the 
amount of risk that could be taken. In this work he unearthed 
several huge frauds that had been perpetrated upon the people, 
and restored to the proper persons their rights. 



476 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

In 1858 he took charge of the Randolph Hotel, having failed 
in securing a suitable tenant, and continued in charge until the 
day of his death, although the duties of a landlord were rather 
onerous, on account of the vast amount of other business to which 
it was necessary that he should give his personal attention. Not- 
withstanding the great amount of labor devolving upon liim, no 
guest, observing the proprieties of a gentleman, ever had reason 
to complain of the want of attention. 

In politics Mr. Randolph was always radical. oSTo one ever 
doubted his position upon any of the great questions of the day. 
In his early life he affiliated with the Whig party, and the meas- 
ures of that party received his undivided support. As a Whig 
he was elected to the various county offices which he held. On 
the organization of the Republican party in 1854, he at once em- 
braced the principles proclaimed by its leaders. "Free press, free 
speech and freedom," had ever been with him a leading thought, 
and he entered heartily and zealouslj' into the work of moulding 
public opinion for the adoption of the new principles. The cry 
of "Abolitionist," "negro worshiper," and kindred phrases, had no 
effect upon him. Believing in the right of the cause which he 
advocated, he defied all the powers of the opposition, and their 
jeers served but to nerve him for the great conflict of opinion 
then existing and the conflict of arms soon to resound through- 
out the land. His business attairs on the organization of the 
party were such as to prevent him from taking the more active 
part to which his ardent nature prompted him, but notwithstand- 
ing, the success obtained in after years was greatly the result of 
his labors. 

In the presidential campaign of 1856, notwithstanding his party 
was greatly in the minority, he labored hard, and in 1860, when 
the noble martyr, Abraham Lincoln, was at the head of the ticket, 
when victory was assured from the division in the ranks of the 
opposition, he ceased not to labor until the announcement was 
made that the favorite son of Illinois should be the nation's chief 
for the term of four years ; and even not then, but toiled on and 
on until, like his honored chief, he suffered a martyr's death, 
yielding up his life in the defense of his country. 

The days that followed the election of Lincoln, the evil passions 
engendered, the war that followed in which our glorious country 
was deluged in blood, the widows and orphans made, the hearts 



HISTORY OF M'dONOUGH COUNTY. 477 

broken, are now a record of history and well known to onr read- 
ers. The individual part taken by thousands and tens of thou- 
sands may never be known. When, in their madness, the South 
rebelled, and the call to arms was made by the President, the pri- 
vate business of Mr. Kandolph was such he could not, without too 
great personal sacrifice, go forth to the tented Held, as he in his 
heart desired ; but no man labored more to secure enlistments, 
none of their private means expended more to further the cause 
than he. The soldier going to or from the field was an ever wel- 
come guest at his house, and it they were possessed of no means 
to pay their bills, it mattered not. Whole companies were at 
times lodged and fed by him without a cent being paid. Many 
of the brave boys will ever hold in grateful remembrance the 
deeds of kindness of this man. 

On the fifteenth day of June, 1863, without solicitation or pre- 
vious notification, he received the appointment of Deputy 
Provost Marshall for the district of McDonough county, and on 
the twenty-eighth of September, 1864, he was re-appointed. His 
friends all advised him not to accept the appointment, as the du- 
ties required were dangerous to perform, and there being those in 
the county who were his deadly and sworn enemies, they might 
seek a pretext to take his life. The very reasons urged for non- 
acceptance were such as to determine him not to decline the 
appointment; he would do nothing that would show even a sem- 
blance of fear. It was his desire to serve his government, and he 
believed it was his duty to do so, and the opportunity was here 
offered; the duties were such as to require a man of nerve, and he 
would not flinch. His first duty was to make an enrollment of 
the militia, reporting the names to the Provost Marshall at Mt. 
Sterling. At this time McDonough county was short in the 
quota, and a draft was ordered ; and upon a certain day the num- 
ber deficient was drawn, and among the number was one John 
Bond, of Hire township. Captain Kandoiph at once notified him 
of the draft and ordered him to report at Mt. Sterling, which not 
being done, he proceeded to Blaudinsville for the purpose of 
arresting him. Here the two met; a few w^ords passed between 
them ; Bond endeavored to escape, when Mr. P., placing his hand 
upon his shoulder, told him he was his prisoner. Bond then drew 
a revolver, and retreating a pace or two fired at Pandolph and 
then fied, followed by Mr. P., who returned the fire. Duriug the 



478 HSTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

firing of the first shots they were in the hall of the hotel, from 
which emerging, several more shots were exchanged, two of fhem 
taking effect upon Mr, Randolph, mortally wounding him and 
causing death within twenty-four hours. Everything that could 
be done by the best medical taknt in the county was done to save 
his life, but without avail; and thus passed from earth one of 
McDonough county's most honored sons. 

William 11. Randolph was of medium height, swarthy complex- 
ion, black hair and eyes, of a very nervous temperament, strong 
and active. He was of a most positive character, loving his 
friends with most intense devotion, and hating his enemies. He 
could not bear to hear a friend traduced, and would defend one as 
quickly as he would his own honor. One whom he regarded as 
an enemy he would have nothing to do with; he would never 
provoke a quarrel with him, seeking rather to avoid it, but if it 
should come he never feared the consequences. Of course such a 
man would have many strong friends and equally strong enemies. 
A more benevolent man never lived than he, being always a friend 
to the poor, never turning a deaf ear to their appeals. Many a 
poor person in McDonough county blesses his memory to-day for 
the assistance rendered them in their hour of need. As before 
remarked, in the family circle he was kind and gentle in the ex- 
treme — what might be termed a model husband. 

JAMES ROBERTS. 

Althongh he may not be what is termed an "old settler," yet 
the subject of our present sketch is well known, by reputation 
at least, by nearly every citizen of the count3\ IS'ot to have 
heard of James Roberts, or the mining operations of himself and 
brothers, is to confess ignorance on a point few desire to acknowl- 
edge. 

James Roberts is a native of England, having been born in the 
county of Cornwall on the twentieth day of March, 1820. His 
parents were Hugli and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Roberts, likewise 
natives of the Isle of the Sea, who were possessed of but little of 
this world's goods, and who consequently could not give their 
children the advantages possessed by those in better circumstances. 
From five until ten years of age he attended the schools of his 
native county and town, and when arriving at the latter age was 
compelled to enter the mines, henceforward to earn his own living 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 479 

by the "sweat of his face." In early life he contracted the habit 
of partaking of intoxicating liquors, a habit which seemed to 
grow on him, but happily he realized the danger ere it was too 
late, and at the age of twenty he signed the temperance pledge^ 
which he has constantly observed to the present time, a period of 
thirty-seven years. 

On the seventh day of September, 1846, he led to the marriage 
altar Miss Cecilia Knight, with whom he yet lives and by whom 
he has had nine children, seven of whom are now living, two 
having gone to that better land. 

Believing the chances of obtaining a competency, or even ob- 
taining a very respectable livelihood in his native land to be poor, 
he determined to emigrate to America, the "Eldorado" of all 
the down-trodden and oppressed ot earth ; so about the first of 
May, 1847, with his wife he sailed for America, landing in Quebec 
on the twenty-sixth day of May. From this place he passed on 
to the copper mines of Lake Superior, but not fancying the em- 
ployment obtained there, he continued his journey to Kew Castle, 
Pa., where he arrived with only fifteen dollars in cash, and where 
a few days after his first child was born. Securing employment 
in the coal mines of Messrs. Crawford & Co., he went to work, 
and for three years continued with them as a common laborer, 
when the position of underground boss of the mines was offered 
him and gladly accepted. For two years and a half longer he 
continued with the firm as its superintendent, when he thought to 
better himself by coming west. Resigning the position in the 
early part of the year 1853, he came out and purchased a tract of 
one hundred and six acres of land near Webster, Hancock county. 
About this time an advertisement was inserted in a county paper 
for an experienced miner to work a coal mine near the present 
town of Colchester, which advertisement he answered in person, 
and engaged to mine coal on the shares. This he continued for 
some time, when he purchased eighty acres in the Welch settle- 
ment, and began to mine for himself. When he came west, not 
knowing where he should settle, or how he should like the coun- 
try, he left his family in New Castle ; in November following he sent 
for them, they arriving the same month. In the meantime he 
rented an old log house situated near the Pleasant Valley Mills, 
in which he moved with his family when they arrived. This 
house was in very poor condition, the snow drifting through the 
cracks and the rain pouring in on them as though the building 



480 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

had 110 covering. Many a time were the family compelled to take 
shelter under a large umbrella brought with them from England. 
Their first winter in this new country was indeed hard, but their 
experience was only such as had been the lot of hundreds before 
them, and served to strengthen them for the trials and duties of 
after life. 

It did not take Mr. Roberts long to discover 'the vast treasure 
that lay beneath his feet, and from the first he began to organize 
for future operations; and by the time the railroad was completed, 
he was ready to engage in the business of mining on an extensive 
scale. In company with his brother, Hugh, and also, at various 
times, with Messrs. Morris, Spencer and others, he opened new 
veins, sunk new shafts, and labored hard to develop the wonderful 
resources of the country. For the first four or five years only drift 
coal was taken out, and hauled in wagons to the railroad for ship- 
ment. In 1858 the first shaft was sunk by him, as superintendent 
of the mines of Roberts & Co., since which time several others 
have also been made, and now we have some eight or ten, with 
over two hundred persons engaged in taking coal from the bowels 
of the earth, at least one hundred feet? from its surface. AH this 
is due to James Roberts more than to any other man. With in- 
domitable pldck and energy, Avithout capital to begin life, he has 
labored on, evercoming obstacles that would have prevented 
others with less courage and perseverance from accomplishing 
their desire. Success has crowned his every effort, and to-day he 
is in the enjoyment of a sufficient amount of this world's goods 
to live in ease should he never do another day's work. But idle- 
ness is not characteristic with him; he could not be idle if he 
would; it is not his nature, so we find him to-day engaged as ac- 
tively as ever in his raining operations, being the president and 
superintendent of the Colchester Coal Company. We 'presume 
he will so live and so die — he will never rust out. A large family 
has grown up around him, whom he has endeavored to raise for 
usefulness in life. We find composing the company of which he 
is president three sons, two of whom live in Quincy and have 
charge of its interests in that city, one remaining in charge of the 
shaft in the mines. Each of these we believe to be industrious 
young men, who now enjoy the respect and esteem of all who 
know them. 



I IIISTOKY OF M'dONOUGII COUNTY 481 

At ail early age Mr. Eoberts experienced religion, uniting with 
the Wesleyan Methodists. He has since been connected with the 
Primitive Methodists, Bible Christians (another branch of the 
Methodist family), and the Methodist Episcopal, the changes 
being made by reason of removals and not with desire to seek 
something new or better, lie is now a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church of Colchester, occupying the position of trus- 
tee, and is a pillar in that church. lie was a member of the 
building committee having in charge the erection of their house 
of worship at that place. 

Mr. Eoberts is a man of medium height, light complexion, dark 
hair, and, as before remarked, a man of determination and strong 
will. In business matters he requires exactness. As a citizen he 
is respected for his love of justice, as a Christian he is God-fear- 
ing, as a husband and father kind, gentle and affectionate, yet 
firm in his government and discipline. Such in brief is James 
Roberts, who, from a very humble beginning, has fought his way 
through life until he now occupies a good position in society and 
enjoj^s the fruits of a life of toil. 



482 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 



CIIAPTEE XXXIV. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES CONTINUED. 
CAPTAIN JAxMES W, FEE. 

James W. Fee, postmaster at Blaiidinsville, 111., was boru in 
Clermont county, Ohio, on the twenty-sixth day of August, 1826, 
and came to this State in 1848, settling in Pike county, where he 
remained seven years, when ho crossed the Mississippi, taking up 
bis residence in Missouri, from which place he returned to Pike 
county, 111., on the breaking out of the war, enlisting in August, 
1862, and mustered in the United States service as First Lieuten- 
ant, Co. B, 99th regiment, Illinois Volunteers. With this regi- 
ment he continued, first as Lieutenant, then as Captain, until the 
•close of the war, being mustered out July 31, 1865. The regiment 
did most excellent service during the whole period, participating 
in quite a number ot battles and skirmishes, and in the memora- 
ble seige of Vicksburg, losing 253 men. In one assault in which 
300 men were engaged, 103 of the number were either killed or 
wounded. Captain Fee during his whole period of service never 
had a leave of absence and continued with his command until its 
final muster out, not losing even a day's time by sickness. When 
the regiment was consolidated into a batallion he w^as the only offi- 
cer retaining his rank and letter of the company. At the expira- 
tion of his term of service Captain Fee returned to Pike county, 
where he remained some eighteen months, going from there to 
Oquawka, Henderson county, w^here he remained until 1874, when 
he removed to Plandinsville, where he has since continued to re- 
side. A short time after his removal to the village he received 
the appointment of Postmaster, the only public otfice he ever held. 

The parents of Captain Fee, Thomas and Sarah (Hastings) Fee 
were poor in this world's "roods, but rich in faith of the blessed 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 483 

hope of the gospel, being devout members of the M. E. Church, 
of which body their son united at the early age of fifteen, remain- 
ing in its connection some seven or eight years. At this time, by 
a careful study of the Word, his religious convictions underwent 
a change in some of the points of doctrine, and he sought mem- 
bership in the Baptist church. 

AVith this branch of God's family he yet retains membership, 
and has labored in word and doctrine for the advancement of the 
cause for many years. In 1860 lie was ordained as a minister of 
the gospel in Missouri, since which time he has continued occa- 
sionally to preach, but never giving himself wholly to the work, 
and never depending upon it for the means of subsistence. Since 
reaching man's estate, he has continually engaged in the mercan- 
tile trade, save for the period while employed in the military ser- 
vice of his country. In this way he has lived, devoting such time 
as he could command, or as he conceived he could accomplish good 
by the proclamation of the gospel. He has served as pastor for 
several congregations and also as supply. He is now connected 
with the congregation at Blandinsville, and is a member of the 
Salem Association, of which body he has been treasurer for two 
years. 

In youth Captain Fee gave promise of the same traits of char- 
acter that have distinguished him in latter life. He was a good, 
steady boy, and no one was afraid to trust him on any occasion or 
in any way. During the whole period of his life he has never 
taken a drink of whisky, notwithstanding he has been thrown 
much in the company of those who have indulged in the practice. 

In October, 1852, he led to the marriage altar Miss Lucy M. 
Parks, daughter of Rev. N. Parks, with whom he has lived a 
happy and pleasant life to the present time. Xo children have 
blessed their union. 

Captain Fee is a la^ge, robust looking man, with the appear- 
ance of being able to enjoy life as well as another. In ever}' good 
word and work we find him actively engaged. His labors are not 
confined alone to "our church," and in charity he holds out the 
hand to the needy on every side. We believe there is little of 
that selfish nature in his being ; that he is willing "to do good as 
he may have opportunity, especially to the household of faith." 
He enjoys the respect and confidence of all who know him. 



484 HISTORY OF M'DOXOUGH COUNTY. 

IIAKVEY L. ROSS. 

The subject of our present sketch was born in Seneca county, 
JSTew York, on the tenth day of October, 1817, and when but four 
years of age came with his father, 0. M. Eoss, to the State of Illi- 
nois, settling" in what is now known as Fulton county, at that 
time being a part of Pike county. Fulton county was organized 
some two years after. Its boundary line extended east and west 
from the Illinois to the Mississippi river, and from the base line 
near where Rushville now stands to the northern boundary of the 
State, including the country where Rock Island, Galena, Chicago 
and Peoria now stand. His father was a soldier in the war of 
1812, and moved upon the land secured by service in that war, 
lying north of the present town of Lewistown, which town was 
laid off by him the following year after his arrival, viz. : in 1822. 
He was the first sheriff of the county elected by the people ; was 
the first postmaster in the county; raised the first ten acres of 
corn, and the first crop of wheat and rye. The only settlements 
within the boundary of the county at this time were one near the 
present town of Pushville, Lewistown, Canton, Chicago and Fort 
Clark, now Peoria, Lewistown being the county seat and the larg- 
est town in the county, and the only place where elections w^ere 
held. "When his father was elected sheriff of the county, in 1823, 
the excitement ran high, being a contest between Korth and 
South Fulton. The voters at that time came from Fort Clark 
down the Illinois river, a distance of fifty miles, in canoes ; then 
up Spoon river ten miles; then on foot through the woods six 
miles to Lewistown to deposit their ballots, bringing their 
whisky with them, without which it was thought impossible to 
travel or to properly exercise the rights of American citizens. 
Many of those from the south part of the county came a distance 
of thirty miles. 

The elder Ross carried on farming, and was also engaged in the 
mercantile business in Lewistown up to the year 1829, at which 
time he removed to where the present town of Havana is, now 
the county seat of Mason county. The land on which the town 
now lies was entered by him and by him laid off for the town. 
Here he built a large hotel, and also owned the first ferry run 
across the river at that place. He also carried on a large whole- 
sale and retail mercantile business, and had an extensive trade 
with the Indians. He died at this point in 1837, his loss being 



HISTORY OF m'dON'OUGTI COITNTY. 485 

deeply felt and regretted by every one. The following year (1838) 
the widow, with the family, moved to Canton, in Fulton county. 

In 1839, Harvey L., of whom we now write, returned to Ha- 
vana and took charge of the old homestead, continuing the hotel 
and ferry business, which his father had established, and engaged 
extensivel}' in other lines of trade. AVe iind him at one time, in 
addition to carrying on a livery stable, running a stage route from 
Springtield to Lewistown, making three trips each week, keeping a 
wood-yard for the accommodation of steamboats, a warehouse in 
Havana, and two on the opposite side of the river for the storage 
of goods and produce, carrying on a large farm, acting as post- 
master, all of which he superintended himself. 

In the spring of 18S0, Mr. Ross had the pleasure of riding upon 
the first steamboat that ever ran upon the Illinois river as far 
as Havana. This boat, the Liberty, was commanded by Captain 
Sam. Bailey, well known to all pioneers. 

When fifteen years of age, Mr. Ross was employed to carry the 
mail from Springfield to Monmouth, a distance of one hundred 
and thirty-five miles, making a trip each week. He would often 
have to swim streams three or four times each day, with the mail 
bags strapped across his shoulders. At that time there was no 
direct road between Knoxville and Monmouth, a distance of twenty 
miles, and not a single house between the two points. His only 
guide along the route was points of timber. He tells us that he 
still has a vivid recollection of his hair gently raising one stormy 
night in January, when in the vicinity of the present town of 
Galesburg, on hearing a pack of hungry wolves set up a tremen- 
dous howlinoi; a few rods behind him. He lost no time in reaching 
the end of his journey, The only postoffices' on the route were 
Springfield, Sangamon Town, New Salem, Havana, Lewistown, 
Canton, Farmington, Knoxville and Monmouth. Abraham Lin- 
coln, our martyr president, was then postmaster at New Salem, 
receiving his appointment on the recommendation of Mr. Ross' 
father, who was one of the oldest postmasters in the country, and 
the only postmaster at that time within the boundaries of the 
present county of Mason. After carrying the mail for a length 
of time over that long, dangerous and desolate route, his father 
let out a part of it to an uncle of Harvey, Malon Winans, the 
part let being from Lewistown to Monmouth. Winans had a son 
that he intended to put upon the route, but concluded to go over 
u— 31 



488 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

of land in tluit county. While farming has occupied the princi- 
pal part of liis time, yet he has engaged, from time to time, in 
other business. After moving to Vermont, he was for fifteen 
years engaged in the mercantile trade, buying and shipping grain, 
and packing pork. He was also appointed agent and had the 
supervision of the Vermont branch of the Fulton I^ank, which 
was located at Vermont in 1859, and was the first bank estab- 
lished in the county. 

In 1873, he traded a portion of his farm in Fulton county for 
a farm of two hundred acres near the city of Macomb, selling the 
balance for twelve thousand dollars, and then removed to Macomb, 
where he yet resides and w^here he will doubtless remain until 
called to join the glorified throng above. 

Mr. Ixoss never had the advantages of any special education, 
the only instruction ever received was in a log school-house, with 
puncheon floor, mud chimney, oiled paper window lights, and 
split logs for benches, liealizing the difficulties under which he 
has labored, without sufficient knowledge, has caused him always 
to take a great interest in the cause of education, and no one will 
do more than he will for the improvement of our public schools. 

Xot only in educational matters has he taken special interest, 
but in all matters tending to the public good and the general im- 
provement of the countr3^ To the first railroad built through 
Fulton county he donated over three thousand dollars in cash, 
besides giving the right of way through his farm, together with 
the ground for a depot at Vermont. He also acted as railroad 
director for two years while the road was being built, for which 
service he has never received a dollar by way of compensation, 
unless it has been in cheap transportatian, though he says he is 
not exactly clear on that point, as he remembers having to pay 
$1 40 per hundred for freight from Chicago to Macomb on the C, 
B. & Q. R. R., while he also remembers the time when the Spring- 
field merchants, and others through the country, were enabled for 
a number of years to get their goods hauled about the same dis- 
tance by ox teams at fifty cents a hundred. He also remembers 
the time when he was part owner of a steamboat and ran on it as 
clerk and signing bills of lading carrying freight a much greater 
distance than from Chicago to Macomb for ten cents per hun- 
dred. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 489 

For a number of years Mr. Ross has taken a great interest in 
the cause ot temperance, and rehites the following incident in 
this connection. He had gone to Jacksonville, this State, in 1834, 
to take his oldest brother and sister who were attending school 
at that place, and, one evening while walking from the college to 
the town with Richard Yates and some other students, Yates said 
to him: "Ross, are you going to the temperance meeting to- 
night ? A lawyer from McDonough county is to speak." He 
answered he would go. Yates at this time was a student of great 
promise in the college and was for three years a room-mate of 
Lewis W. Ross, brother of Harvey L. The lawyer from Mc- 
Donough that delivered the address was no less a personage than 
Hon. Cyrus Walker, frequently spoken of in this work, and one 
of the best attorneys in the State of Illinois. At the conclusion 
of the lecture, Richard Yates, "Bill" Carlin and a couple of young 
ladies were appointed to circulate the pledge. The arguments of 
Mr. Walker were so convincing that when Yates, who slowly 
made his way through the crowded room, came to Mr. Ross, he 
signed it without hesitation and has faithfully kept it to the pre- 
sent time. 

But how has it been with poor "Dick" Yates and "Bill" Carlin, 
the two young students who circulated the pledge and who grad- 
uated from the college with high honors? Yates, after tilling 
many responsible positions, among them Governor of the great 
State of Illinois and United States Senator, died in a third-class 
liotel in St. Louis, away from home, family, and friends, with 
only a servant to close his eyes in death ; while Carlin, who was a 
son of ex-Governor Carlin, and who also filled a number of offices 
of honor and profit, died an inebriate. 

Mr. Ross has never indulged in the use of intoxicating liquors, 
though raised where it was used constantly and by all classes ; 
has never taken a chew of tobacco, smoked a cigar, or had a 
day's sickness in his life, and has never found the boy or man who 
could beat him rmning or jumping. 

In 1843 Mr. Ross made a profession of religion and united with 
the Presbyterian church in Vermont, with which body he re- 
mained in connection until his removal to Macomb. For four 
years previous to his removal to the latter place, he was a ruling 
elder in the church at Vermont, and now occupies the same posi- 
tion in the church at Macomb. He takes great interest in the 



490 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Sunday School work, and is an efficient worker in that useful 
iield of labor. lie is also a life member of the American Bible 
Society, and no good word or work but what meets and secures 
his hearty co-operation. As a man, he enjoys the respect of every 
one, having few, if indeed, any enemies. He stands about five 
feet eight inches in height, of slender but well knit proportions, 
and has an excellent constitution. He is a man of great energy, 
and fulfills the divine injunction •' Whatsoever thy hand tindeth 
to do, do with thy might." 

Unsought, Mr. Ross received the nomination as representative 
to the legislature for the counties of McDonough and AVarren 
from the Independent party in 1874, but not having been a resi- 
dent of the district sufficient time to make him eligible to the 
office, he therefore withdrew from the canvass. Had he run, he 
undoubtedly would have been elected. 

JOSEPH SHANNON. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Tuscarawas county, 
Ohio, on the twenty-third day of November, 1818. His parents 
were Thomas and Rebecca (Davis) Shannon, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania. His father died when he was about two years old, and 
about twelve years after his mother again married. Boy that he 
was, Joseph now decided on leaving home and henceforth do for 
himself. Without aid from any one, he educated himself, attend- 
ing first the common schools in the winter, and, in due course of 
time, entering Kenyon College, Gambler, Ohio. In this institu- 
tion he spent some time, paying his board and tuition by working 
for the professors. In this act he showed a trait of character that 
might well be imitated by many at this day. Many young men 
at the present time, instead of going forward and by their own 
exertions acquiring knowledge that would be beneficial to them 
in after life, and likewise developing in themselves a degree of 
manhood and independence, wait supinely for some well-endowed 
institution to give them instruction without money and without 
price. 

Farming has ever been the regular occupation ot Mr. Shannon, 
though for many years he engaged in teaching during the winter 
months. He now lives on a well-improved farm on section 25, 
Mound township. Leaving Ohio he came to Fulton county, in 
this State, where he lived a short time, or until the spring of 
1857, when he removed to his i)resent place of residence. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 491 

In politics Mr. Shannon is a Republican. He keeps well read in 
the political news of the day, and therefore acts iinderstandingly. 
For six years he has represented his township as a member of the 
Board of Supervisors and is its present representative. In all his 
official relations he pursues the same course as in conducting his 
private business. Bills of doubtful character are never permitted 
to pass with his sanction, and no member looks more closely to 
the interests of his constituents. 

In 1840 Mr. Shannon was married to Miss Delilia Milner. Six 
children have blessed their union, five of whom still live, one son 
dying from the effects of wounds received at the battle of Shiloh, 
in the late rebellion. Mr. Shannon is a man of many good 
qualities of head and heart, and there is in him much to com- 
mend. 

JOHN WILLIAM SIDERS. 

This gentleman is a native of Ohio, having been born in High- 
land county, of that State, on the 31st day of March, 1839. His 
father, Henry Siders, was born near Frederick, Md., but at an 
early age emigrated to Virginia, the native State ot his mother, 
whose maiden name was Xancy Kidd. The young couple were 
poor in this world's goods, but rich in faith, and with a will and 
determination to dare and do. Shortly after marriage they moved 
to Ohio, settling in Highland county, where they made their homes 
for some years. Mr. Siders was a hard-working man, one that 
never shirked duty in any respect. It is said of him that he 
could clear more land of its timber and brush than any man in 
the whole State. The first recollection of the subject of our present 
sketch is in living in the timber, gathering together, piling up 
and burning the brush from the fallen trees. At the age of six 
years he was sent to the common schools of the county in which 
he lived, this being continued for four months in each year until 
he was twelve years of age, since which time he had only forty 
days' schooling. During this last period duties were placed upon 
him which the youth of our land at present would doubtless rebel 
against. With nine others he was classed off two and two, and 
one day in each week would have to cut the wood amd build the 
fire in the old-fashioned fire-place, which was eight feet 
wide and which required for one filling a very large amount of 
wood. The school-house was situated in a vallcv, and whole 



492 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

trees were dragged down from the top of the high hill and piled 
around the school house that they might he cut hy the oldest 
boys. 

In 1856, witli his parents, he came to McDonough county, set- 
tling in Emmet township, where he has since resided until within 
the past year, when he removed to Macomb on his accession to the 
office of county treasurer to which he had been elected the year 
previous. All the best years of his life have been spent on a farm, 
and for nearly twenty years of that time he has worked on the 
farm in summer and taught school in the winter. 

As a teacher he has been eminently successful. Notwithstand- 
ing the short time spent in the schools of the county, he has at 
home studied hard to prepare himself for usefulness in life. He is 
a self-educated and a self-made man in every respect. He is a 
kind friend and neighbor, enjoying the confidence and respect of 
all who know him. A strict temperance man, he is known and 
recognized by all. While a candidate for office, not one cent did 
he spend for liquor, directly or indirectly. While the Good Tem- 
plars were in existence in the county, he was a good working mem- 
ber and known as such throughout the State. 

BENJAMIN F. THOMPSON. 

Among the early settlers of Adams county, 111., were Josiah and 
Louey (Tibbits) Thompson, the parents of the subject of our pres- 
ent sketch, who emigrated from Ohio in 1830, the summer before 
the big snow. Mr. Thompson wasanOhioan by birth, while Mrs. 
Thompson first saw the light of day in the State of Maine, but 
when a small child was taken to Ohio where she was raised, and 
where she was married. When they arrived in Adams county, 
and for several years after, they were in very limited circumstances 
and in consequence suffered more or less, especially during the 
winter following their arrival. 

Benjamin Franklin Thompson was born in Fall Creek town- 
ship, Adams county, Illinois, on the seventh day of November, 
1835, and spent the early part of his life upon a farm with his 
parents, and in attending the common schools of the county as 
the opportunity^ offered, lie was an easy, good-natured boy, full 
of fun, and extremely fond of practical jokes, which seemed to be 
an inherent trait in the family. 

In order to prepare himself for the profession of a teacher, Mr. 
Thompson attended Quincy College one term, and lledding 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 493 

Seminar}, in Abingdon, for about the same length of time, obtain- 
ing a pretty thorough knowledge of the English language as well 
as the sciences. For about nine years thereafter he engaged in 
teaching some eight or nine months each year, the balance of the 
time working upon a farm. As a teacher, he met with good suc- 
cess, it being a profession suited to his nature. While engaged 
in this work, near Ilillsgrove in this county, he first met Miss 
Mary S. Walker, daughter of one of the old pioneers of McDon- 
ough, Andrew J. Walker, of Tennessee township. The meeting 
resulted in a friendship which ripened into love, and on the 
second day of April, 1862, the couple were married. Five child- 
ren have been born unto them, two only of whom remain to bless 
the hearts of their parents, three having been called to join the 
happy throng upon the other side, where in the sweet byc-and-bye 
it is hoped the family will again be united never more to be sepa- 
rated, and where tears and sorro"svs never come. The father and 
mother of Mrs. Thompson departed this life in the winter of 1864, 
both being carried away bj^ the same disease, diptheria, and within 
one week of each other. They were a couple well known and res- 
pected in their neighborhood. 

After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson settled in Adams 
county, where Mr T. purchased a small tract of land which he 
endeavored to improve for a permanent home. While on a visit 
to this county, William M. Latimer, who was running a store 
in Tennessee, made a proposition to sell the same to him, which, 
after giving the subject considerable thought, he decided to ac- 
cept, and in the fall of 1865, he sold his land in Adams county, 
purchased the store and residence property of Mr. L., and moved 
bis family to the place, where he has since continued to reside, 
and where the little "one-horse store" has grown to first class pro- 
portions, and its trade second to few in the Military tract. 

In 1864, Mr. Thompson experienced a change of heart, and 
united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which body he 
yet retains connection, being in Tennessee one of its most active 
members. In the Christian work he never tires, using the talents 
the Lord has given him for the advancement of his cause. lie 
has for a number of years, been a J^istrict Steward, for the Col- 
chester Circuit, and also a Trustee of the Church in Tennessee. 
In the Sunday school work, he has always taken the greatest in- 
terest, being an active worker in that cause. !Xo sacrifice is too 
great for him to make for the good of the school, and every Sab- 



494 nsTouY of m'donough county. 

bath fiiuls liim in his accustomed place, attending to the duties 
devolving upon him therein. He has held the office of Superin- 
tendent some time, as well as tilled the position of teacher and 
leader of music. In music, Mr. T., although disclaiming any pro- 
ficiency in the science, is required to assist in and superintend all 
concerts and musical entertainments in the place. 

The benevolent orders claim a good share of his attention, he 
holding membership and filling important offices in Masonic, Odd 
Fellows and United Workmen lodges of Tennessee. Ko good 
work but what meets with his hearty co-operation. 

Although a young man, he has seen considerable of this world. 
In 1856 a party of young men in Adams county made their prepa- 
tion to go to California, and passing by and dining where Mr. T. 
was boarding, he agreed to accompany them to Quincy and see 
them off. While in that city he suddenly made up his mind to be 
one of the party, and going to the bank, drew^ out his deposits, 
and in the evening was on the way, going by way of Chicago to 
New York by rail, and there taking a vessel ))y w^ay of Aspinwall 
and Panama, crossing the Isthmus and tlience by steamer to San 
Francisco. lie only remained some three or ibur months in that 
Eldorado, when he sailed for home, returning by way of Nicara- 
gua, where the fillibuster Walker was then engaged in fighting. 
The cholera broke out on board the vessel on which he returned, 
and with others he had a, severe attack, but fortunately recovered. 

Mr. Thompson is about five feet eight inches in height, light, 
wavy hair, which with his beard, is very thick; blue eyes, and a 
well developed head, the benevolent faculty being ver}' prominent. 
He is kind and affectionate in the family, a pleasant neighbor and 
an agreeable man in every respect. 

ELDER J. L. TOWNER. 

John L. Towner was born in Steuben county, New York, Au- 
gust 20, 1820, and was the eldest of eight children, four of whom 
were boys and four girls. His parents were John Iv. and Hannah 
(Loop) Towner, the father a native of New York and his mother 
of Pennsylvania. His father was a man of marked character, 
having occupied many positions of honor and trust, bestowed upon 
him by his fellow citizens ; he was likewise a true Christian 
man, and for the advancement of the cause of Christ he gave his 
time and means. His mother was a woman of remarkable mind, 
having an extensive knowledge of the Scriptures, and her wise 



HISTORY OF m'doNOUGH COUNTY. 495- 

counsels, and the purity of her life, had much to do in moulding- 
the character and mind of her son. In 1835 the parents removed 
to this State, settling near the town of Belvidere, Boone county, 
of which county they have the honor of being the first white set- 
tlers. Indians were then all around there, and were frequent vis- 
itors to their cabin. At this time John L, was but a lad of fifteen 
years of age. After erecting his cabin the elder Towner sent John 
with a team to Chicago to bring their household goods which 
had been shipped by lake to that place. The present mighty city 
was then but a small village of about 1500 inhabitants ; to-day, it 
numbers more than a half million. 

All the advantages in the way of education that could be en- 
joyed by those dwelling in this new country were given the subject 
of this sketch. He had the benefit x^f the common schools in his 
native county, and of the Academy erected at Belvidere at an 
early day. 

In 1843, under the ministration of Elder "William Roberts, he 
made confession of his sins, and was baptized into Christ, by that 
man of God, some three years after. Having given the subject 
much thought, he determined upon entering the work of the 
ministry, giving his time and whatever talents the Lord may 
have given him for the advancement of his cause. In order that 
he might specially prepare himself for that purpose, he entered 
the Divinity School, Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he remained 
eighteen months. In 1849 he entered npon the regular work, 
having been set apart for that purpose, since which time he has 
devoted his entire time to the proclamation of glad tidings. His 
work has been prosperous to a great degree, and his labors have 
extended over a large territory, having received calls and served 
as pastor of churches in the towns of Belvidere, Piano and 
Industry, and the counties of Kendall and Stephenson, Illinois, 
Greene county, A\^isconsin, Grant county, Indiana. In Industry, 
where he now resides, he has labored faithfully for nine years, to 
the satisfaction of the members of his own church and the com- 
munity in general. 

Elder Towner is a hard-working, zealous. Christian man — one 
who enjoys the respect and confidence of every one knowing 
him; his Christian integrity is doubted by none. As a preacher, 
he is plain, practical and earnest; he talks like one who believes 
what he speaks, and therefore carries conviction to the hearts of 
his hearers. In all that he savs or does it can well be believed 



496 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

that be is conscientious. In tilling his appointments he allows no 
triHes to interfere with his attendance. As an illustration of this 
we will state that on one occasion, while going with his wife to 
an appointment, he found a stream which he had to cross greatly 
swollen by the rain, so much so that a less zealous person w^ould 
have turned back before attempting to ford it, and waited until 
the waters subsided. But he determined to make the attempt, and 
in doing so, his horse and buggy had to swim ; but they reached 
the other side in safety, with no damage save the wetting of 
their persons, wearing apparel and books. Another time he was 
not quite so fortunate, for in attempting to cross a stream from 
which the bridge had been carried away, and which was running 
very fast, his horse was borne down by the switt current and was 
lost. Mr, Towner, with great difficulty, reached the shore, the 
stream having in it running ice, and the water being so cold, that 
when he did make the land he was so chilled that he could 
scarcely reach a house which was a half mile distant. The horse 
was valued at one hundred and fifty dollars, which was a total 
loss, save thirty dollars made up by friends where he had gone to 
preach. 

Elder Towner w^as united in marriage with Miss Keziah Brown- 
ell, on the tenth of February, 1850. Two children have blessed 
their union, a son and daughter, the former now a young man of 
considerable talent that will doubtless be used to a good purpose. 
In the family circle, Mr. Towner is kind, pleasant and agreeable; 
receiving the love and affection of his children. 

ROSWELL TYRRELL. 

When visiting the western part of the county in search of ma- 
terial for the History of McDonough county, nearly every person 
we met inquired of us if we did not intend to give a sketch of the 
life of Uncle Roswell Tyrrell, as all familiarly called him. We re- 
plied that it would give us pleasure to give such a sketch should 
we be furnished with the material incidents of his life by those 
who were intimately acquainted with him. Many times had we 
heard old settlers mention this good man, and we thought it was 
due his memory that he should have a place among the records 
given of the old pioneers and prominent men of the county. 

Roswell Tyrrell was the son of Abijah and Naomi Tyrrell, and 
was born near Hartford, Connecticut, on the twenty-third day of 
May, 1798. In early life he shadowed forth the peculiar traits of 



HISTORY OF m'dOXOUGH COUNTY 497 

character that made him noted in after years. lie was always a 
quiet, steady hid, attending closely to his duties on the farm and 
in the common school pursuing his studies with zeal. 

Every school boy or girl has read of tlie second war with Great 
Britain, the beginning of which was in 1812, when TiosAvell was 
but fourteen years of age, entirely too young to enlist. The war 
continuing, two years thereafter, when but sixteen years of age, 
he enrolled himself in the army and served until the close of the 
war the year following, when he received his discharge. What 
special service may have been performed by the regiment in which 
he enlisted, we are not advised, but we do know that young Ros- 
well Tyrrell never would have shirked duty, and if called upon to 
face the foe upon the battle field he never would have flinched. 

On receiving his discharge, he returned to Trumbull county, 
Ohio, to which place had emigrated when about fourteen years of 
age, and where he remained until the spring of 1819, when, there 
being some difficulty with respect to his discharge papers, he 
went on foot to Washington, D. C.,to have the mistake corrected. 
After having the matter attended to, he started on foot west, in- 
tending to settle in the State of Illinois. He arrived in Madison 
county in the fall, remaining there some four years, when he re- 
moved to Fulton county, where, on the twentj^-second day of 
February, 1823, near the town of Lewistown, he was married to 
Miss Mary Ann Sidwell, with whom he lived happily until death 
called her away, which sad event occurred in May, 1828. She 
died in the full assurance of hope, leaving one daughter for him 
to rear and provide. 

Mr. Tyrrell received as a pension from the Cnited States gov- 
ernment, for service in the war of 1812, a land warrant for 
one hundred and sixty acres of land, which warrant he sold, 
and with the proceeds, in 1826, purchased a quarter on section 
29, 5 north, 4 west, now Tennessee township, which quar- 
ter he held until his death. In the fall of 1830, he came over 
from Fulton county, erected his cabin, and returned for his fam- 
ily. While gone, "the big snow," of which so much is said by 
old settlers, fell, necessitating his remaining away until the fol- 
lowing spring, when he came back and effected a permanent set- 
tlement. 

On the eighth day of July he was again married, leading to 
the marriage altar Miss Hannah Ann Brooks. One daughter 
was born unto them. The second Mrs. Tyrrell died in 1852. 



498 HISTORY OF m'donough county. 

About the year 1834 Mr. Tyi-rell became bondsman for one of 
the oflacers of McDonough county who, unfortunately, failed to 
make full returns due the county, aud Mr. T. was called upon to 
make good the deticiency. This was an entirely unlooked for 
€vent, and came very heavily upon him, but he determined that 
every dollar should be paid. Few to-day can realize the trouble had 
in obtaining money in those days. Men with thousands of acres 
of land, with an abundance of personal property, could scarcely 
raise money to pay their taxes, small as they then were. But Mr. 
Tyrrell proposed to pay this indebtedness, though it was frequently 
suggested to him that its payment could be avoided. The very 
idea of repudiation was horror to him, and he has often said that 
never for a moment was he tempted to do sucli a thing. As the 
money could not be raised here by any means that could be re- 
sorted to, Mr. Tyrrell determined on once more going to the lead 
mines, and, as a day laborer,*work to obtain the money to make 
good his bond. Although the amount he was required to pay 
would not seem very large to us at the present day, yet it required 
eleven years to make the tinal payment, but every dollar was paid, 
and McDonough county was saved from loss. 

The discovery of gold in California caused a tremor of excite- 
ment throughout the whole country and thousands flocked to the 
New Eldorado. Among the first to seek his fortune in that strange 
laud, was the subject of our present sketch. In April, 1849, in 
company with several others, he started on the overland journey, 
arriving at his destination in about seven months from the time of 
starting. The hardships of that journey he bore remarkably well, 
and in good health and spirits he began to labor in the mines, con- 
tinuing in the work for three years, save about three months when 
he was unable to do anything on account of sore eyes. He re- 
turned home in 1852, having in a measure, been quite successful, 
more so than the great majority that went out with him. 

Mr. Tyrrell was never a member of the Church, though in life 
he was a strictly moral man. The second great commandment, 
to " love thy neighbor as thyself," he carried out to the letter. 
"When James Fulkerson settled in his neighborhood, in 1832, Mr. 
Tyrrell was in the habit of attending to any little chores around 
the house that might seem necessary on the Sabbath day, such as 
cutting wood, sharpening his tools, etc., but as he saw that Mr- 
Fulkerson did not approve of the same, he resolved to discontinue 
the practice, saying, " My grief, it don't hurt me to cut wood, but 



HISTORY OF m'donough county. 499 

it hurts Uncle Jiminv's fcelini?s, so I won't do it/' And he was 
ever afterwards as good as his word, and " Uncle Jimmy's" feel- 
ings were never hurt by his Sabbath breaking. His honesty was 
proverbial wherever he was known, and when another person was 
specially commended for this trait of character, it was said of him 
that " he is as honest as Uncle Roswell Tyrrell," or "Uncle lios- 
well Tyrrell couldn't do better than that." Another excellent 
trait in him was that he ever kept his promise to the very letter. 
On one occasion he left his two little girls at home while lie went 
to Macomb on some business. While there he was so unfortu- 
nate as to be taken as a juryman. When night came he told the 
judge he must return home. The judge replied that he could not 
excuse him. "But," he said, "I must go; I promised my little 
girls that I would be at home to-night, and I never break my 
promise to them." And home he went, trudging his way along 
on foot, spending the night with his little ones, and returning to 
town the next morning before court was called. The judge 
thought such a desire to keep inviolate a promise made to the 
little ones was to be commended rather than reproved, and there- 
fore did not fine him for contempt. 

Until the formation of the Republican part}-, in 1854, Mr. Tyr- 
rell had always been a Democrat, but not approving the position 
of the Democratic party on the slavery question, he refused longer 
to act with it. He had always been a strong anti-slavery man, 
and in 1824, when the effort was being made to convert Illinois 
into a slave state, he voted against calling a convention to amend 
the constitution for that purpose. When the Republican party 
came into existence he found the principles enunciated by its 
leaders were in accordance with those he had long held, and there- 
fore acted with it until he was called away. Ko stronger Repub- 
lican ever lived than he, and in his death that party lost one of 
its most earnest advocates. He was well posted in all the ques- 
tions at issue between the two great parties, spending the greater 
portion of the last twenty years of his life in reading and posting 
upon the political questions of the day. During the dark days 
of the war he was intensely loyal, and although too old to enter 
the service of his country, as he did forty-seven years previous, 
his heart was with the "boys in blue" upon the tented field, and 
many acts of kindness did he perform for the dear ones they left 
behind. No wife, sister, or mother of a soldier would be allowed 
to suffer if in his power to minister relief, and numberless little 



500 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

deeds of kindness might be recorded in this connection wherein 
he figured as the principal party. 

ISTo man ever stood higher in the community than he, and even 
his most bitter political enemies never doubted his honesty. How- 
ever much they might doubt the truth of a political statement, 
they would invariably remark, "A\^ell, he is honest in what he 
says." We never heard of but one instance in which his word 
was ever doubted. A stranger, with whom he was conversing, 
charged him indirectly wiih falsifying, when he quietly responded, 
as if his feelings were hurt greatly, "Mister, you don't know me, 
or you wouldn't say that." It was his pride to make his word 
respected by every one, and none knowing the man ever doubted 
his sincerity. 

lie had a heart overflowing with love of humanity, and to the 
poor he was ever kind and considerate. The cabin which he erect- 
ed in 1830, it is said, was the first home of nearl}^ every family in 
the Hillsgrove settlement, and not a cent of rent was he ever 
known to receive for its use. If the family was poor, or in need 
of any of the necessaries of life. Uncle Roswell was ever ready to 
supply their wants. A sack of flour or meal, a ham of meat, or 
whatever might be the object of their need, was dropped quietly 
at their door, and not a word spoken. If he should be so fortu- 
nate as to secure some choice venison, he was ever ready to divide 
with his less fortunate neighbors. Such being the character of 
the man it certainly is no wonder his memory is held in grateful 
remembrance by hundreds of the old citizens of the county. 

Roswell Tyrrell departed this life on the thirteenth day of April, 
1872, being at the time 72 years 11 months, and 20 days old. He 
left but one daughter (Mrs. A. G. Owen) to mourn his loss, but 
her grief was shared by friends and neighbors, and the citizens of 
the county in general, and probably no man's death was more 
greatly regretted than Roswell Tyrrell, the old pioneer. 

CAPTAIN J. B. VENARD. 

Josephus B. Venard may almost be said to be a native of this 
county, being carried here by his parents, George and Frances 
(Mitchell) Venard, when but six weeks old. His parents were 
both natives of Kentucky, and emigrated to this county in 1832, 
here living until called away by death, save a short time spent in 
"Hancock county. Mr. and Mrs. Venard were well known and 
highly respected by a large number of people, both in this and 



.HISTOUY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 501 

Hancock county, and the excellent qualities shown in the life of 
their son is due to their good training, 

Josephus B. Yeuard was horn in Morgan county, Illinois, 
March 3, 1832, and has spent almost his entire life upon a farm, 
the exception being nearly live years spent in the military service 
of the government, and two years while serving as Sherifi' of 
]\fcDonough county. He only spent a low wrecks of his life in 
the public schools of the county; his father, who was a good 
scholar for his time, imparting instructions to him at home. It 
was the custom of the elder Venard to gather his children around 
him in the evening, after the toils ot the day were over, and 
teach them as much as possible between the short time intervening 
betw^een supper and the hour for retiring. 

From the time Joseph w^as nine years of age he was compelled 
to do his share of the labors of the farm, having to follow the 
plow% and engage in such other exercises as his strength would 
permit. 

AVhen the war broke out and the call was issued by the Presi- 
dent for three hundred thousand men, he enlisted on the second 
day of August, 1861, as a private in Captain J. D. Walker's com- 
pany. Second Illinois Cavalry, and in about thirty days thereafter, 
the Second Lieutenant resigning, he w^as chosen by the men and 
commissioned to fill the vacancy. This position he retained a 
few months, w^hen, on the seventeenth day of January, 18G2, he 
was commissioned First Lieutenant. While still holding a com- 
mission as Lieutenant of company H he was assigned to command 
company A during the Red River compaign, and discharged the 
duties to the entire satisfaction of his superior officers. On the 
twentieth day of July, 1864, he was commissioned Captain of com- 
pany II, and served as such until it was consolidated with one or 
two other companies and lettered E, when he was placed in com- 
mand and served with it until mustered out on the third day of 
January, 1866. In many respects the cavalry arm of the military 
service is the most dangerous, being more exposed on detached 
service, and therefore is entitled to great credit, and the Second 
Illinois Cavalry deserves the thanks of the whole country, for no 
regiment in the entire service acquitted itself more honorably 
than it. It was in active duty from the day it was mustered into 
the service until the close ot the war. Captain Yenard served 

11—32 



502 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

with honor and distinction, and was in almost every engagement 
in which the regiment participated. 

Receiving a furlough, Captain Yenard came home early in 18G5, 
and on the fourteenth day of March, was united in the holy honds 
of m:.itrimony, to Miss Mary E. Curtiss, by whom he has had live 
children, all of whom yet live to bless the hearts of their parents. 

Without solicitation on his part. Captain A^enard received the 
nomination for the office of Sheriff in 1874, and was triumphantly 
elected, receiving a majority over both his political opponents, and 
on account of personal popularity, carrying Sciota township by 
thirty-live majority, being the first and only Republican that has 
ever done so. He also carried Bethel township, another strong 
Democratic precinct, being the one in which he was raised, and 
where he was well known by every citizen. As a civil officer he 
brought to bear the same unswerving zeal that characterized liim 
as an army officer. While of a modest and retiring disposition, 
he never shirks responsibility, and every duty is discharged faith- 
fully and conscientiously. 

Some time in the year 1874, he made a profession of religion, 
and on his removal to Macomb, in the fall of that year, he united 
with the Presbyterian Church, and is a faithful member thereof. 
We trust he may be as earnest a worker in fhe Christian cause as 
in any other service in which he has engaged, and so receive the 
reward in the end. 

As a citizen, he stands high in the community in which he lives 
or has ever resided, being a good neighbor, and a kind hearted, 
benevolent man, one who would be received well and trusted im- 
plicitly by stranger or friend. 

CAPTAIN D. p. WELLS. 

Among the. representative men of McDonough county, few 
stand higher in the estimation of the people, cr those who were 
intimately acquainted with him, than did he of whom we now 
write. David Perkins Wells was born in Winchester, Tennessee, 
on the tenth da}' of October, 1826. His parents were Ranseallar 
and Esther (Perkins) Wells, the former being born in Connecticut 
and the latter a Pennsjlvanian, who had emigrated to Tennessee' 
at an early day. In 1833, when David P. was about seven years 
of age, they again emigrated, this time to Illinois, settling in 
Rushville, Schuyler county. Here the subject of this sketch 
spent his youth in attendance on the common schools, and in 



HISTORY OF m'donough county. 503 

clerking in one of the principal mercantile stores of the town. 
After spending ten years in this place, he received an invitation 
from an uncle, who occupied the position of sutler at Fort Moul- 
trie, South Carolina, to come and assist him in his work. He at 
once proceeded to that station, and continued there until the 
breaking out of the Mexican war, when he received the appoint- 
ment of Aid to Colonel Gates, ot the Third Artillery, with the 
rank of First Lieutenant, lie proceeded with the regiment to 
Mexico, and served with distinction during the entire cam[)aign, 
participating in some of the most important engagements of the 
war. At its close he returned to Kushville, where he remained 
but a short time, coming from thence to this county, taking up 
his residence at Macomb, at wliich place he resided until the day 
of his death. 

In ^Macomb, Lieutenant Wells engaged in various kinds of 
business, tirst in the general mercantile trade in the firm of Twy- 
man, Lawson & Wells, and then in the real estate and insurance 
business as a member of the firm of J. II. Baker & Co. In 1854:, 
in company with John D. Hail and Iverson L. Twyman, he laid 
out the town of Bushnell, now one of the most flourishing young 
cities in the military tract. 

On the third day of October, 1850, in Rushville, Illinois, he was 
united in marriage to Miss Susan Eliza Dean, by whom he had 
five children, tvvo only of whom are now living — Charles D., who 
is now one of the leading commission merchants of the city of 
Peoria, Illinois, and Harry, who yet remains at home in ]\Iacomb, 
with his widowed mother. 

In early lite, and during the existence of the part}^ liieut. 
Wells was a consistent Whig, and on its death, he first voted with 
the Republicans, but in the celebrated campaign of 18()0, he afiili- 
ated with the Douglas wing of the Democratic party, he being a 
great admirer of that immortal statesman Stephen A. Douglas. But 
with that great leader, when the dark war clouds broke over the 
country, when the roar of rebel cannon was heard, he believed 
there could be but two parties, patriots and traitors, and there 
not being a single drop of disloyal blood in his veins, he at once 
stepped forth on the call of the President and offered his services 
to the government. In companj- with the lamented Broaddus, he 
raised company B of the 16th liegiment, Illinois Volunteers, and 
was duly commissioned as captain. His early military training 
now served him in good stead, and he was at once acknowledged 



504 HISTORY OF m'donough county. 

the best disciplinurian anil soldier in tlie entire regiment. Al- 
though strict in discipline, he received the good will and love of 
every man in his company, and the nnqnalitied respect of his 
brotiier officers. Xot one of his men l)ut wouhl have defended 
him to the end. Where he led, none would have refused to fol- 
low. Unfortunately Captain Wells did not see as much service 
in the field as he desired, and never had an opportunity to dis- 
tinguish himself as he doubtless would have done. 

The regiment being among the first to enter the service, was 
put upon detached duty, guarding the Hanni1)al and St. Joe Rail- 
road, etc. While upon this road Captain Wells received wounds 
that no doubt were the ultimate cause of his death. In traveling 
between different points on the road the train was wrecked l)y 
obstructions placed upon the track, and Captain Wells thrown 
out and some heavy article was thrown across his breast, causing 
bleeding at the lungs. He lay insensible for several hours, and 
although he recovered sufficiently to join the .regiment and start 
with them to the front, he was only enabled to reach Cairo. Here 
the surgeon of the regiment ordered him home, informing hira 
that he could never recover unless he had rest. In company with 
a private of his company the captain returned, stopping in St. 
Louis long enough to attend to some business and purchase for 
his family a few presents. He arrived at home on the third day 
of April, 1862, in quite feeble health, but without a thought of 
soon being called away, thinking that in a few days he should be 
sufficiently recovered to return to his regiment and take part in 
the active duties of the war. But it was willed otherwise by One 
mightier than all others. He began to sink slowly, but afcill on 
the third day of his return was able to walk from one room to 
another, but on the fourth day the dread summons came, and his 
soul returned to the God who gave it, and in due time his body 
was laid away in the cold and silent tomb. His death was en- 
tirely unexpected by his friends, although they were made aware 
he could not long survive. His funeral sermon was preached by 
Kev. Joseph Warren, 1). D., and his body was placed in the grave 
b}'^ his Masonic brethren, of which order he had for some years 
been an active member. Many friends followed the remains to 
the grave, and mingled their tears with that of the grief-stricken 
widow and fatherless children. 

From the first Captain Wells had a full conception of the ex- 
tent of the rebellion, and publicly expressed his views. Long 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 505 

before the famous emancipation proclamation of Abraham Lin- 
coln was issued, and even before the celebrated order of General 
Fremont was promulgated, he stated his belief that the rebellion 
would never be put down until the slave was made free. 

Captain Wells was not a professed Christian, had never at- 
tached himself to any church, but believed in the religion of the 
Bible, and was a strictly moral man. His views of Christianity 
were more in accord&,nce with those of the Episcopalian Church 
than any other, and had there been an organization of that de- 
nomination in the vicinity of his home he would doubtless have 
united with it. He was a man of kind heart, and in the family 
circle was very indulgent, yet always lirm. His word was recog- 
nized as law by his children, and while he was gentleness in the 
extreme, they knew his word was not to be trifled with. His loss 
was deeply felt by the whole community in which he lived. 

JOHN G. AVOODSIDE. 

Another of the old pioneers of Blandiusville, well known dur- 
ing the first quarter century of our county's history, was John G. 
Woodside, the son of James and Mary (Gallaher) AVoodside, who 
was born in Washington county, Virginia, on the ninth day of 
November, 1798, and emigrated to this county in 1833. His par- 
ents at his birth were in very moderate circumstances, but ^ave 
their son all the advantages their means would allow. At an 
early age he learned the glovemaking trade, and also many years 
followed the trade of shoemaker, even after coming to this State. 
In looking over some of his old books and papers were found 
accounts against many of the early settlers of this county for 
work done ; charges were made for making children's shoes, 
twelve and a half cents per pair, and men's shoes thirty-seven 
and a half cents per pair. Think of this, you that complain of 
low prices of the present day. 

Before reaching his majority, j\[r. Woodside was married to 
Miss Jane Woodside, by whom he had eight children, four boys 
and four girls ; three of the former and two of the latter now 
living. 

Mr. Woodside had the honor of being one of the best educated 
men in the county when he first came to it, and for several terms 
taught a select school. In chapter thirty-two will be found an 
article of agreement between himself and patrons to teach school 
for the term of six months. The agreement is worth reading. 



506 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Mr. AVoodside held many of the township and county offices, 
among which were Justice of the Peace, County Commissioner, 
etc. lie was likewise Postmaster of the old Muddy Lane post- 
office, which has long since been forgotten except by a few of the 
older settlers of the county. He was a man that enjoyed the 
respect and confidence of his friends and associates. Mr. Wood- 
side died on on the eighteenth day of March, 1853, his loss being 
deeply felt by the citizens of the county. 

Of this family now living, the oldest daughter resides in Jasper 
county, Iowa ; the other in Henderson county, Illinois. Of the 
sons, Hugh G. lives in Henderson county, Illinois, James A. and 
William L. are farmers in Blandinsville township, the latter resid- 
ing on the old homestead on which his father settled on removing 
to this county. 

JOSEPH E. WYNE. 

Kentucky has furnished many prominent citizens of this county, 
and among the best we regard Joseph E. Wyne, who, in company 
with Joseph McCrosky, another old pioneer, who departed this 
life a few years since, came to this county in 1834, since which 
time he has been an honored citizen. He was born in Columbia, 
Adair county, February 12, 1820. His parents were B. F. and 
Mary A. (Doyle) Wyne, the former a native of 'New Jersey, and 
the latter of Ireland, but both having emigrated to Kentucky 
where they formed each other's acquaintance and were married 
in the town of Winchester. They were poor in this world's 
goods, and therefore could not give their children such advan- 
tages as they desired; Joseph E. being only permitted to attend 
the common subscription schools of his native State, which was 
all the means of education that lie enjoyed ; but natural good 
sense and a determined will have, in a measure, overcome every 
deficiency in this respect. 

When about fifteen years of age his father died with cholera in 
Springfield, Kentucky, and his mother d^dng shortly after, left 
him without natural protection. He then went to live with 
Joseph McCrosky, and as previously stated, came with him to 
thiscounty, and settled on Camp Creek, south of Macomb, where he 
remained for some four years, when, coming to town, he engaged 
as clerk for N. P. Tinsley, Esq., continuing for some five years; 
when, in company with C. A. Lawson, Esq., he engaged in the 
mercantile trade for himself. In this trade he continued until 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 507 

about the year 1861, when he received the appointment from 
Abraham Lincohi as postmaster of Macomb, which position he 
retained until, by accident, Andrew Johnson was made president, 
when Mr. Wyne's official head was removed — not for any wrong 
doing on his part or complaints made by the patrons of the office, 
bat in consequence of his failure to approve and cheer the policy 
of the head of the nation. 

Mr. Wyne has always been a man of public spirit, and we 
find him constantly filling some local office, being willing to sacri- 
fice time and the comforts of life for the public good. Before the 
organization of Macomb as a city, he was for several years a 
member of the town Board of Trustees, and when the change 
took place he was among the first aldermen elected from his 
ward, and has since been re-elected several times. He has also 
been Mayor of the city, Police Magistrate, and for years been a 
member of the School Board. In the latter office he has devoted 
much time, alwaj^s taking great interest in the educational affairs 
of the city, and the good reputation of our j^nblic schools are in 
a great measure due to him. Although the office is a thankless 
one, he labors in the discharge of his duties with just as much 
zeal as though great pecuniary benefit was derived from it. 

As a politician, Mr. Wyne first gave adhesion to the old Whig 
party, and as a follower of Henry Clay, advocated the principles 
enunciated by the immortal statesman. During flie last fight the 
Whigs ever made in this county, he was their nominee for the 
office of County Clerk, but was defeated by Isaac Grantham, 
Democrat. On the organization of the Republican party he es- 
poused its principles and has ever since been a faithful supporter 
of its men and measures. In its first campaign he received the 
nomination for Circuit Clerk, of the county, but, of course was 
defeated, the opposition to the Democracy being divided between 
Republicans and Americans. We believe it is due to Mr. Wyne 
that he shall yet be honored by his political associates. Xo man 
has been more faithful, none have been willing to sacrifice more 
than he for the good of the party. He is honest and capable and 
will give satisfaction in any position to which he may be called- 

Mr. AVyne has been twice married, first Avith Miss Mary A. 
Walker, daughter of Joseph M., and Maria W. Walker, in June, 
1842. Mrs. W. only lived a few months after her marriage, de- 
parting this life in March, 1843. His next marriage was in June, 



508 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

1845, with Miss Clariuda Hays, daughter of Dr. Chas. Hays, 
an early settler and successful physician of Macomb. Ten children 
have been born unto them, eight yet remaining upon this side, 
six sons and two daughters, two having been called to the upper 
and better world on high. Under the ministration of Rev. W. 
K. Stewart, who for sixteen years broke the bread of life to the 
Presbyterian congregation in Macomb, Mr. Wyne made a pro- 
fession of religion in 1839, and united with that body, during all 
the intervening time to the present he has held connection with 
it, for nearly thirty years serving as ruling elder and for many 
years as clerk of its session. lie is an earnest and devoted Christ- 
ian man, using the talents the Lord has given him for the pro- 
motion of his cause. In the Sunday School he has been likewise 
a faithtul laborer ever taking an active part in its work. May he 
continue to do his duty and receive the crown in the end. 

Mr. Wyne is a slimly built man about five feet nine inches in 
height, otgood address, pleasant manners, and one who enjoys the 
respects of all. 

JOHX WILEY. 

Theparentsof John Wiley — William and Betsy (Vance) Wiley — 
were both natives of Pennslvania, and had emigrated to Harrison 
county, Ohio, about the beginning ot the present century, settling 
upon a farm, on which they continued to reside until death called 
them away. The farm yet remains in the family, three of the 
members yet living upon it. One son who had remained there 
from his birth, died about the year 1875. 

John Wiley, the subject of this sketch, was born upon the 
farm spoken of on the tenth day of November, 1810, and lived 
thereon with his parents until he reached his majority, when he 
rented a piece of land and began to farm for himself, continuing 
in that business for three years. The two following years he en- 
gaged in no special culling, save for three seasons running a thresh- 
ing machine. He then concluded to learn a trade, and for that 
purpose went to Martinsville, Ohio, where he engaged with his 
brother Thomas in the manufacture of threshing machines, becom- 
ing quite proficient as a machinist. This brother was well known 
in McDonough county, having engaged in like business here, and 
also having established the first foundry here. 

After leaving the shop of his brother, Mr. Wiley went to Ixip- 
ley, in the same State, where he engaged in the manufacture of 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 509 

the same machines. From Ripley he came to this county, bring- 
ing with him twelve of the threshing machines manufactured by 
his brother, of whom we have previously spoken. These were 
the first machines of the kind ever imported into the county, and 
were viewed with considerable wonder and curiosity. 

Mr. Wiley arrived in Macomb, in this county, the early part of 
the winter of 1841, remaining here until the thrilling news was 
sent out that gold, in large quantities, had been discovered in Cali- 
fornia, the great Eldorado of the West. In company with about 
thirty others from this county, he left Macomb on the second day 
of March, 1849, for the " diggings." This was the first company 
from the county. The train, after a long and tedious journey, 
arrived in the mines on the third day of August following. Mr. 
Wiley at once began to mine along the American and Trinity 
rivers, remaining there for about two years, meeting with good 
success. About this time he was called home on business, intend- 
ing, however, to return to the Pacific slope, but this he never did. 

Having made the journey to California overland with an ox 
team, he concluded he would return by water, and therefore sailed 
from San Francisco in the ship Louisa, in January, 1857. While 
on the Pacific ocean their vessel was caught in a severe storm, 
which lasted about thirty-six hours, and cleared the ship of all 
her masts, .and came near sending her, wath her human cargo, to 
the bottom of the great ocean. In consequence of the damage 
done the ship he was considerably delayed on the voyage, and 
compelled to take passage on another vessel. Thinking he would 
probably never have a better opportunity, he stopped for awhile 
in Mexico and Central America, viewing the sights and scenes of 
those tropical countries, arriving in iSTew Orleans in the following 
March, from which place he came up the Mississippi river, in 
due time arriving at his home in old McDonough. 

Soon after his return home from California, in company with 
Joseph Bailey, a son of the late Colonel W. W. Bailey, Mr. Wiley 
went into the grocery business, continuing in that line of trade 
some two years. In 1853, while still engaged in the mercantile 
trade, he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, for 
which he paid eleven hundred dollars. It contains three hundred 
and twenty acres, and is now considered one of the finest and best 
improved farms in McDonough county. When Mr. Wiley became 
the purchaser, it was raw, unbroken, prairie land. It lies four 



510 IISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

miles east of the citj' of Macomb, in Macomb township. The 
well known AViley School House, district number 8, stands upon 
the northeast corner of his farm. 

In 1842, the year after his first arrival in Macomb, Mr. Wiley 
formed a partnership with Charles W. Dallam for the purpose of 
manufacturiiiij^ threshing machines, reapers, portable saw mills, 
etc. The tirm continued in business some years and gained a 
wide reputation, especially for threshing machines, a large num- 
ber of which were made and sold throughout the State. Mr. 
Wiley not only has the honor of importing the first into the 
countj^ but has the honor to be the first to engage in their manu- 
facture. Previous to this, all grain was threshed and winnowed 
in the primitive way. 

Mr. Wiley is rather above medium height, of good proportion^ 
and evidently in his younger days was quite robust and muscular. 
Ilis hair is now quite gray, and his beard, which is likewise of 
the same color, is worn in full. In temperament he is very quiet 
and unexcitable, allowing nothing to ruffle him in any way. As 
a man and a citizen he is highly esteemed by every one having 
the opportunity to know him. In public affairs, although taking 
no prominent part, he manages to keep posted in all that is being 
done in the various fields of science, politics and the general news 
of the day. He has never made a profession of religion, but en- 
deavors in all his intercourse with his fellow men to live up to the 
golden rule, "Do unto others as you would others should do unto 
you.'' 

ISAAC WEAVER. 

One of the oldest and most respected citizens of Prairie City is 
Isaac Weaver, who was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, 
July 13, 1810. His parents, William and Polly (Cromwell) Wea- 
ver, were both natives of the same State. His father w^as born 
February, 1791, and still lives upon the farm to which he re- 
moved in 1835, having purchased it of the widow and heirs of 
Robert Peeve, one of whom afterwards became the wife of the 
subject of this sketch. This farm is understood to be the oldest 
one in the northwestern part of Fulton county, and was first im- 
proved by Mr. Peeve, who with his family came to this State in 
1824, and built the first cabin on the land mentioned the following 
February. He had previously traded his farm in the State of 
ISTew York for this land, with the intention of coming to this new 
country, hoping to better the condition of his family ; but he was 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. oll 

only permitted to live a short time, iu consequence of" which the 
hardships of the family were very great. Having previously 
associated with and formed the habits of the more cultivated and 
wealthy people of the Eastern States, it was difficult for them tO' 
accommodate themselves to the association of pioneers, and to 
make their living by means known only to that class, sometimes- 
being compelled to grind the corn for their bread by pounding it 
in a wooden mortar, and tc manufacture a part of their clothing 
out of the bark or lint of wild nettles and buckskin purchased of 
the Indians ; and being driven from their home by the Indians^ 
and fleeing to the fort for protection. 

The mother of Mr. Weaver, as well as the mother of his wife, 
Mary Adams Keeve, together with their deceased children, all lie 
buried upon the old farm. 

During the boyhood days of Mr. Weaver the opportunities for 
obtaining an education were limited where his parents resided, 
and on removing to a new and thinly settled country, and having 
to improve a new farm at the time he should have been in school, 
it could not be expected he should obtain a very extensive knowl- 
edge of books ; but such was his desire to learn, that even after 
his marriage he attended school for a short time in Fulton count3^ 
The knowledge acquired iu school has served but as a basis for 
more extensive private research, in which he has acquired much 
information in the arts and sciences of the day. 

Mr. "Weaver for many years of his life lived upon a farm, but in 
1857 he came to this county and made his home in the new and 
flourishing town of Prairie City. Here he engaged in the produce 
and grain trade, and in company with Ezra Cadwallader and 
Milton Foster he built the flrst grain elevator in the place. In 
this business he continued with varying success for some fifteen 
years, when, through partnership associations, he met with great 
losses, which caused his retirement. 

In 1865, he was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace 
which office he yet retains, being re-elected at every recurring 
election. This shows that the people of his town repose confi- 
dence in him. He has also held the office of Town Trustee, 
Supervisor, Assessor, Commissioner, and other town offices, fre- 
quently holding more than one at the same time. He also holds 
the office of Xotary Public. In politics he is republican, working 
at all times for the success of its principles. 



512 HISTORY OF M'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Oil the thirteenth day of November, 1838, Mr. Weaver was 
united in marriage to Miss Harriet C. Ileeve, daughter of Mary 
and l\obert Reeve. Eight chihlren have been born unto them, 
four of whom have finished life's journey and taken up their abode 
in the "Sweet bye-aud-bye." Four yet live to bless the hearts of 
their parents, only one of whom lives at home, three of the num- 
ber having married and now occupy homes of their own. Two live 
in Fulton county, and one in the State of Iowa. 

In religious views, Mr. Weaver inclines to favor those held by 
the Society of Friends, though never uniting formally with that 
body, nor has he ever heard a sermon or attended one of their ser- 
vices. When but a small boy, he read the life of William Penn, 
which made a very favorable and lasting impression upon his 
mind. The views therein set forth, as held by Penn, he has al- 
ways thought to be more in accord with the teachings of the l^ew 
Testament than those held or taught by other sects. Taking the 
Bible as his creed, he is content to abide by its teachings as a rule 
of life. 

Isaac Weaver is five feet ten inches in height and well propor- 
tioned. 

He is a kind friend and neighbor, and enjoys the respect and 
esteem of every one who has been so fortunate as to make his 
acquaintance. 

DR. BEVERLY R. WESTFALL. 

One of the most prominent physicians in McDonough county 
is the subject of our present sketch, Dr. Beverly R. Westfall, who 
emigrated to the county in 1846, and, save for one 3'ear, has since 
been a continual resident of it. 

Dr. Westfall was born in Troy, Ohio, on the eleventh day of 
August, 1854. His parents were Cornelius and Sarah (Davis) 
Westfall, the former being a native of Virginia and the latter of 
i^ew Jersey, both highly respected and intelligent persons, for 
many years citizens of the county. Cornelius Westfall, the 
father, died on his farm near what is known as Wolf Grove, 
about four miles northeast of ISIacomb. • The mother also died on 
the same farm, beloved by all who knew her. The first seven 
years of the doctor's life was spent in his native town, at the ex- 
piration of which time he was taken by his parents to Thorn- 
town, Indiana, which place remained his home until his removal 
to Illinois, in the year above mentioned. In Thorntown he was 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY 513 

sent to the public schools, and from thence to the old Thorntown 
Seminary, at which institution he not only mastered the branches 
of a common English education, but took a regular course in 
Latin and Greek. In this place he also entered the office and 
read medicine Avith Dr. J. J. ISIesbitt, one of the best physicians 
in the place. 

In 1846, Dr. AVestfall came to Macomb, arriving here in June 
of that year, a stranger in a strange place, and with but a five d©l- 
lar gold piece as the extent of his capital, half of which he ex- 
pended immediately for a pair ot shoes, leaving but two dollars 
and tifty cents with which to begin the world. Securing a school 
in Macomb, he continued to teach one year, at the expiration of 
which time believing it "not good for man to be alone," he was 
united in marriage to Miss Ellen Hays, daughter of Dr. Charles 
Hays, one of the old pioneer citizens and a leading physician of 
the county. AVith this estimable lady he yet happily lives. Fif- 
teen children have blessed their union, nine sons and six daugh- 
ters, all of whom yet live, save the oldest son and youngcbt 
daughter, who have passed on before, and upon the other side 
await the re-union which will take place by-and-bye. 

While engaged in teaching in Macomb, the doctor still con- 
tinued to pursue his studies in medicine, and on his marriage re- 
turned to his old home in Thorntown, Indiana, where he engaged 
in practice for about one year, at the end of which time he 
returned to Macomb, and, as previously remarked, has made it 
his home ever since. Upon his return he at once engaged in his 
chosen profession, and for seven years, or until 1855, continued to 
practice medicine as an old school physician, in the meantime 
attending a course of lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago, 
an institution then in its infancy, from which he received a certifi- 
cate of graduation, diplomas not then being given by it. 

In 1855, after having given the subject much thought, and a 
thorough investigation of the principles governing, the doctor 
changed his course of treatment, adopting the homeopathic meth- 
od, which for twenty-two years he has since successfully prac- 
ticed in this place, securing a practice second to but few in the 
State, and extending throughout this and adjoining counties. As 
a physician he has met with remarkably good success, especially 
since he has adopted the homeopathic method of treatment, and 
no physician in this part of the State ranks higher in the profes- 
sion, or among the masses of the people. Having for a number 



514 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

of years practiced as an old school physician, he is rec<3gnized by 
that fraternity as one well posted in the science of medicine. 
His practice has always been that of a general one, confining him- 
self to no special diseases. In order to perfect himself in the sur- 
gery and become more thoroughly posted in the great improve- 
ments being made in the medical world, in 1867 he attended a 
course of lectures in Ilahneman Medical College, Chicago, and 
from that iusiitutioii received a diploma of Doctor of Medicine. 
Although this diploma adds nothiug to the skill of the doctor, it 
3"et shows that his knowledge was such as to warrant the con- 
ferring of this honorary degree upon him by an institution of 
acknowledged standing. 

Dr. Westfall has always taken considerable interest in agricul- 
tural matters, and for the past twenty-one years has resided upon 
a farm, though always retaining an office in Mocomb for the prac- 
tice of his professson. He now resides upon a farm, two miles 
southeast of the city, which he keei3S under the best cultivation. 
The house in which he resides, together with the entire surround- 
ings, is in excellent taste, and is greatly admired by all. For the 
promotion of agricultural and mechanical arts, he has always ad- 
vocated and worked to sustain a high reputation for our county 
fairs, lielieving their success would have a tendency to secure that 
end. He has always been a stockholder and for some years one 
of the directors of the Stock Association. 

Realizing the necessity existing for the improvement of our 
stock, especially the farm horse. Dr. Westfall was the first from 
the county to engage in the importation of blooded horses from 
the Old World. In 1870, he crossed the ocean to France, and in 
that country, secured four as fine animals as were ever imported 
into the country. In securing these horses, he experienced the 
good fortune in having them purchased and placed upon the ves- 
sel just a day or two before the Emperor Napoleon issued his 
order forbidding an}' further exportation, and just before the war 
occurred which occasioned the overthrow of the empire. Again, 
in 1873, the doctor returned to Europe, securing three more 
equally as fine and perfect as those first imported. In this we 
have the beginning of the importation of fine stock from the old 
world, and an enterprise which has beeil taken up by others until 
McDonough county now ranks among the first in the State, with 
respect to its blooded stock. Not only in horses, but in fine cat- 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 515 

tie, does the doctor delight, and we notice upon his farm a fine 
iierd of Jersey cattle, which it would take a small fortune to 
purchase. 

In school matters, J)r. Westfall has also manifested great inter- 
est, and no man stands ready to do more for our puhlic and 
private schools than he. As an illustration, we will say that by 
right of purchase the old McDonough College property fell into 
his hands, and it was earnestly desired by a certain party for res- 
idence purposes, but on condition that a school of high grade 
should be held in the building for ten years, the doctor sold it to 
Professor D. Branch, for five hundred dollars less than he was of- 
fered for it by the other party. "Would that others would thus 
show their faith by their works. 

Dr. AVestfall, as a citizen, ranks high in the community in 
which he has so long lived. He is kind and sympathetic, and 
enjoys the respect and confidence of all. Every good work he is 
ready to hek) on in every conceivable way. He has never held 
public office of any kind, nor ever desired it, and although strong 
in his political views, which are those held by the Republican 
party, he is not yet so bigoted but that he concedes the right of 
others to diflfer with him, while at the same time he can call them 
friends. Religiously, the doctor is identified with the Old School 
Presbyterian Church, having in his infancy received the waters of 
baptism. Physically, the doctor would not be regarded as robust, 
yet he doubtless stands as much exposure as any man in the 
count}'. He is above medium height, with light hair, auburn 
beard, Avorn full, and with light blue eyes. We trust he may yet 
live to accomplish much good in various ways. 

HON. E. K. WESTFALL. 

Elanthan Kemper Westfall, the second son of Cornelius and 
Sarah (Davis) Westfall, was born in Thorntown, Boone county, 
Indiana, on the eighth day of January, 1889, and, in company 
with his parents, came to this county in the spring of 1854, re- 
maining for a few months in the city of Macomb, going froni 
thence to a farm about five miles northeast of the city, where he 
remained some years, or until the breaking out of the war in 1861. 
On the first call of the President for troops, lie responded, enroll- 
ed himself as a private in company "B," Sixteenth Regiment of 
Illinois Volunteers, commanded by the lamented Captain D. P. 
Wells. He was mustered into the service as Orderly Sergeant, on 



51() HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

the twenty-fourth day of May. On the first of October following, 
he was promoted Second Lieutenant, and again promoted First 
Lieutenant, commission bearing date April 7, 1862. AVliilc still 
an Orderly Sergeant, he received a furlough that he might come 
home and assist in raising a company of Cavahy for the war, but 
before it was fully completed, he was ordered to rejoin his regi- 
ment. Returning to the seat of war, he fully expected to receive 
the promised commission in the cavalry company, but for some 
cause best known to others, the commission never came. On ac- 
count of ill health. Lieutenant Westfall was compelled to resign 
on the twentieth of Januarj", 1862. While in the service he dis- 
charged his duty faithfully, and had it been his good fortune to 
continue with his regiment, he doubtless would have distinguished 
himself and received other meritorious promotions. 

Upon his return home, and as soon as his health would permit. 
Lieutenant AVestfall entered the office of his brother, J)r. B. R. 
Westfall, of Macomb, for the purpose of preparing himself for 
the medical profession. lie continued to pursue his studies with 
the doctor for some two or three years, and in the winter of 1866- 
67 attended a course of lectures in the Hahneman Medical Col- 
lege, Chicago. In the spring of 1867 he opened an office in 
Bushnell, where he has since continued to reside, having built up 
a large and lucrative practice, his success equaling his mosc san- 
guine expectations. As a physician he has shown rare skill and 
good judgment in the discernment and treatment of diseases. 

Dr. Westfall is a man of considerable piblic spirit, and takes 
great pride in whatever tends to promote the interests of his 
adopted city and county. He has been honored by his townsmen 
and fellow citizens quite often since taking up his residence in 
Bushnell. lie has served as a member of the City Council of 
Bushnell, twice elected member of the Board of Supervisors, and 
twice a member of the House of Representatives of the Illinois 
Legislature, first in 1872, and again in 1876. In this latter body 
he was not what is termed a "brilliant member,'' but better still a 
Avorking one, and in the committee room would do service that 
would be farniore beneficial than that of the "windy orator'' in the 
public hall. As a public speaker, he makes no pretensions, but 
when necessary can speak his sentiments plainly and in unmistaka- 
ble language. In the session of 1872-3, he was on the Committees on 
Railroad and Insurance, Penitentiary, and Fees and Salaries, the 
jatter of which he was Chairman. These committees Avere all of 



iiisTOjn' OF m'donougii county. 517 

c'onsideruble importance. During this seseion, it will be remem- 
bered, the entire list of statutes of the State were revised, and 
therefore a vast amount of extra work had to be accomplished. 
In the session of 1876-77, he was Chairman of the Committee on 
Public Charities, and member of the committees on Appropriation 
and Public l*rinting. The work performed by the honorable 
gentleman during both sessions of the Legislature arealike credit- 
able to himself and his constituents. 

On the organization of the 8th regiment, Illinois militia, in 
1870, Dr. Westfall was chosen and duly commissioned its Lieu- 
tenant Colonel. The regiment has been uniformed, duly armed 
and equipped, and in drill would not sufl'er by comparison with 
some ot the old • regiments of the war. Colonel AVestfall has 
always been in command. 

In politics Colonel Westfall has always been a "Republican of 
the strictest sect of religion," its principles and its aims ever being 
dear to his heart, and anything that seems to be an abandonment 
of them meets his most unqualified condemnation. His zeal for 
the party that sacrified so much blood and treasure for the salva- 
tion of the Union is such as to cause him to fori»:et self and ffive 
everything for its prosperity. Honoring the party, he has in 
turn been honored by it in his selection to the responsible public 
positions which he has held. Being still in the prime of life, by a 
careful cultivation of the talents which he undoubtedly possesses, 
a bright future will yet be before him. 

Dr. Westfall is rather above medium height, well proportioned, 
having a good head, and a kind heart, and enjoys the respect and 
esteem of the community in which he lives. On the fourth day 
January, 1873, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Curl, 
but was only permitted to enjoy her society a few months, she de- 
I)arting this life on the twenty-eighth of October following. Mrs, 
Westfall was a member of the Presbyterian church and died in the 
lull assurance of faith, 

CHAJILES WILSON. 

We acknowledge a feeling of deep reverence and gratitude to 
the old pioneers, those who have endured the hardships, the toils 
and privations incidental to frontier life, those who have made 
the paths straight, the rough places smooth, and made the country 

ji— 33 



518 HISTORY OF M'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

to " blossom as the rose." Few men who figure in these pages 
have endured more and labored harder to accom])lish their ends 
than Charles AVilson, President of the Farmers' ISTational Bank, 
Bushnell, Illinois. 

Charles Wilson was born in Chester county, l*ennsjlvania, on 
the twentieth da}' of June, 1813. His parents were William S. 
and Hester (Ramsey) Wilson, the father being Irish by birth and 
the mother a Pennsylvanian, though of Scottish descent. The 
elder Wilson came to this country in 1801, taking up his abode in 
the city of Philadelphia, where he made the acquaintance ot the 
lady whom he afterwards wedded, and with whom he journeyed 
along the pathway of life for more than half a century. He was 
a sailor by occupation, and sailed the seas for' many years, and 
made many voyages to this country before he determined on a 
settlement. He departed this life on the fourth day of May, 1861, 
aged eighty-four years. His widowed companion survived him 
some fourteen years, and on the twenty-seventh day of Novem- 
ber, 1875, she too was called to her reward at the ripe old age of 
ninety-two. Both were devoted members of the Christian 
Church, and died in the blessed hope of immortality beyond the 
grave. Many of the strong traits of character and excellent 
qualities shown in the subject of this sketch were inherited from 
this Godly couple. 

As soon as endowed with sufficient strength Charles Avas bound 
ont to work for a neighboring farmer, and until fifteen years of 
age, the highest wages received by him was three dollars per 
month, or thirty-six dollars per year. This sum was collected by 
the father and went toward the maintenance of the family. 

When but of eight years of age, the parents of Charles re- 
moved from Pennsylvania to the State of Virginia, wdiere they 
remained four years and from whence they removed to Wayne 
count}^ Ohio, remaining there six years, when, believing it for 
the best to proceed farther west, where land was plenty and cheap, 
they came to Illinois and settled near the town of Lewistown, 
Fulton county. This was in 1830 — the family arriving in the 
neighborhood of the town mentioned, on the twenty-eighth day 
of October, as the cold days of winter was fast approaching. The 
elder Wilson, with his son Charles, who was now a young man in 
his eighteenth year, with the strength of one who had reached his 
majorit}', commenced to look out a location for their future home. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY, 519 

Ijut little i?iformutioii could l>e obtained from settlers with respect 
to the titles of the laud, and it was with difficulty tliat a selection 
could be made. Being unable to secure a house in which to live, 
they built a hut of rails as a temporary abiding place, until they 
could cut and hew^ logs for the erection of a more suitable dwell- 
ing, which they proposed to have built at once. 

As soon as they decided upon what quarter section of land to 
locate, they proceeded to get out the logs and prepare for the 
erection of their building. They had hauled upon the ground 
<[uite enough lor their purpose, when snow began to fall, and con- 
tinuing steadily for several days, or until it laid upon the ground 
an average depth of between three and four feet, and occasionally 
in drifts as high as eighteen and twenty feet, obliterating every 
sign of the location of their proposed new dwelling. Not a log 
prepared for the purpose could be seen. The family were still in 
the rail pen — for it could be dignified by no other name — and 
there they were compelled to remain during the long winter that 
followed. The snow laid upon the ground for three months. 
AVhat their sufferings were during that time pen cannot describe, 
and none but the Great Father can fully know. The cracks be- 
tween the rails were all open, there being no way by which they 
could be closed, and as the snow fell, and for days after, w^hile 
being drifted about by the wind, it would blow into the cabin, 
covering everything with its icy mantle. On awakening in the 
morning, the family would find themselves covered with suow^ 
from three to six inches in depth. 

The family were the possessors of two good horses and several 
head of cattle, but had not provided food for them for the winter, 
although arrangements had previously been made with a party 
living some seven miles north, for a supply of corn for food for 
themselves and stock. As soon as the snow ceased falling, Mr. 
Wilson and Charles hitched their team to the wagon and started 
after corn. The snow being some ten or twelve inches above the 
hubs of the wagon prevented it from running, and therefore it was 
dragged along. They soon discovered it w'ould be impossible to 
get through with the wagon, or even should do so they never 
could return with grain, therefore, they determined to abandon it 
and proceed on horseback. They had only with them one sack 
in which to carry grain, but supposed there would be no trouble 
in borrowing from some one in the settlement where they were 
going. One of the two taking the lead, the other followed, and 



520 HISTORY OK m'dONOUOH COUNTY. 

after several liours effort, arrived at their destination, but were 
disappointed in not being able to obtain another saek, and were 
compelled to return with but their own full of grain. On return- 
ing, they found their tracks almost obliterated, but arrived at 
home in due time. The corn secured had to be divided between 
their stock, and on the next day the father and son were again 
compelled to return. These journeys were continued in this way 
during the entire winter, their wagou remaining imbedded in the 
snow until the following spring. In order to obtain other food 
for the family, Charles, Avho was quite handy at all kinds of work, 
proposed to a neighbor, who was a great hunter, to repair some 
bottomless chairs for him if he would furnish them with fresh 
meat. The proposition was gladly accepted on the part of the 
neighbor, and the Wilson family were fully provided with veni- 
son, turkeys and other wild game at all times. For bread they 
made meal from their corn, wdiich they pounded in a mortar. 
Flour they had none. 

Notwithstanding the hardships of their first winter, the family 
were not discouraged; and when the spring came they built and 
moved into their new house, and began to lay the foundation for 
a competency secured in after years. But it must not be ex- 
pected that prosperity dawned upon them at once. Far from it. 
Other toils, other privations, and other hardships had to be en- 
dured. Some two or three years after their settlement here, the 
elder Wilson was pressed somewhat on account of debt, and that 
it might be paid, Charles started on foot for the lead mines of 
Galena, wdiere he toiled some months for the accomplishment of 
that end. It must be borne in mind that at that date money was a 
scarce article, there being no market for anything raised. Galena 
was then considered the Eldorado of the land. 

In 1832 Mr. Wilson enlisted in the Black Hawk war, as a pri- 
vate in Captain Ball's company, from Fulton county, and in the 
campaign following he bore an honorable part. The battalion of 
which his company formed a part was attached to the command 
ot General Stillman. 

On the twentieth of March, 1834, Mr. Wilson w^as united in mar- 
riage with Miss Su-san Harris, daughter of John Harris, one of 
the pioneers of Fulton county. *Mr. Harris is yet living at the ripe 
old age of one hundred, though now a helpless invalid, patiently 

■While this History was in press, Mr. Harris passed peacefully away to iiis rest. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 521 

awaiting the summons to join those who have piissed on before. 
The result of the wedded life of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson lias been 
thirteen children, eleven of whom yet live, and all of whom are 
married and gone from the parental roof, but all residing near 
their place of birth, save one who resides in Iowa, Of the thir- 
teen children, five were sons and eight daughters, two of the latter 
dying when quite young. A short time after their marriage Mr. 
and Mrs. Wilson moved into Harris township, Fulton county, 
some six miles from the present flourishing young city of Bushnell, 
and settled upon section 5, 6 north, 1 east, which place they made 
their home until the spring of 1868, when they moved into Bush- 
nell where they now reside. 

Charles Wilson is a self made man in every respect. AVith a 
very limited education obtained from the common schools, but 
with a determined will and strong heart and hands, he has pressed 
forward, overcoming every obstacle that arose in his way. How- 
ever great the difficulties with which he might be surrounded, he 
knows no such word as fail, and his example is worthy of emula- 
tion by the young men of to-day. Without a cent of capital, but 
through his own individual exertions, he has amassed a sufficient 
amount of this world's goods to enable him to live at ease until 
called away to join the loved ones that have gone before. He has 
alwa^^s been a hard working, industrious man, having excellent 
physical powers and being capable of great endurance. Until the 
last two or three years, or until his retirement from the more ac- 
tive duties of life, there seemed to be no limit to his powers of en- 
durance. The first mill stones used in Fulton county were ob- 
tained by him from the quarries of Cass township in that county. 

Farming has ever been the occupation of Mr. Wilson, and in 
this work he has been eminently successful. Through hard work 
and careful management, he has from time to time added to his 
possessions, until he now owns in the neighborhood of fifteen 
hundred acres of as fine land as can be found in Fulton and Mc- 
Donough counties. For many years he has devoted considera- 
ble attention to raising stock for the markets, and in this has met 
with the same good success as in other operations of the farm. 
But not only in farm labor has success crowned his efforts, but in 
the mercantile trade as well. In company with S. A. Hendee, 
now of Bushnell, he was for several years engaged in business in 
Marietta, Fulton county. 



522 HISTOHY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

As previously remarked, in 1868 Mr. Wilson removed to the 
city of Bushnell, in this county, where he lias since continued to 
reside. Some two 3'ears alter, he was quite active in the organi- 
zation of what is now known as the Farmers' National Bank, of 
which institution he was by its stockholders unanimously elected 
i*resident, continuing as such to the present time. In the dis- 
charge ot his duties as President of the concern, he has shown 
good executive abilities and admirable business management. 
Herein lies his chief success, the executive abilities displayed and 
a keen discernment of human nature. Although making no pre- 
tensions to relinement, lie makes himselt })leasant and agreeable 
with every one. 

Mr. Wilson is six teet three inches in lieight ; his hair, Avhicli 
was once dark, is now quite gray ; blue eyes, which are yet full 
of the lire of youth ; a good liead, showing strong will and 
determination, veneration and benevolence prominent. For more 
than thirty years he has been a consistent member of the M. E. 
Church, holding the offices of Steward and Trustee a great part 
of the time. In the work of the church he manifests consider- 
able interest, giving of his time and means to advance the Lord's 
cause. From boyhood he has been an earnest advocate of tem- 
perance ; the few months' experience in the lead mines having 
much to do in lirmly implanting former convictions upon his 
mind. As a citizen, friend and neighbor, no man stands higher 
in the communit}^ in which he lives. 

HON. C. F. AVHEAT. 

Crosby F. Wheat was born in Cayuga county, Kew York, April 
11, 1835. Ilis parents are Luther Wheat and Elmira (Marion) 
Wheat. His earlier education was acquired in the common 
schools and academies of his native county. He removed to 
Quincy, Illinois, in 1858, where he read law with Messrs. AVarren 
& Wheat. In 1860 he was admitted to tlie bar, and moved to 
Macomb, McDonough county, Illinois, in 1861, where, in 1862, he 
opened a law office, and has since resided. In 1865 he married 
Mary A. Chandler, daughter of Thompson Chandler, ol Macoml). 
He was attorney for the city of Macomb for several years, was 
elected State's Attorney in 1872, and re-elected in 1876. As an 
attorney he stands at the head of the bar in the county, and was 
the choice of a large number of his associates in the district for 
the position of Circuit Judge, on the reorganization of districts 
during the past year. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. /)2;^> 

MAJOR STEPHKN YOCUM. 

Many of the noble pioneers of McDonough county liave quit 
the scenes of their labor and gone to their rest. Among the num- 
ber none were more highly esteemed or beloved than Major Ste- 
phen Yocum, who was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, 
on the seventeenth da}^ of February, 1800. His parents were 
George and Kebecca (Powell) Yocum, natives of A'irginia, who 
emigrated to Kentucky before the beginning of the present cen- 
tury, where they engaged in farming, and also, for a number of 
vears, in the iiiillin«: business. Their family consisted of eleven 
children, four boys and seven girls. As might be inferred, Mr. 
Yocum was raised on a farm, and in the occupation of tilling the 
soil he labored until called to his rest. 

When but a mere boy he was put to work in his father's mill 
and in that business and assisting upon the farm, varied by a few 
month's attendance in the common school, his early life was passed. 
Xo other educational advantages did he ever enjoy than in those 
of the select schools of his native state in which only the com- 
mon branches of an English education were taught. But these, 
together w^itli rare common sense and good judgment with which 
lie was endowed, enabled him to live an active and successful life. 

Mr. Yocum remained with his parents until after he reached 
his majority, when he went forth into the wide world, with noth- 
ing but a brave heart and willing hands, to labor for himself. For 
two 3'^ears he remained in Kentucky, making his home with a 
married sister, when, thinking to better liis condition in life, he 
turned his steps toward the newly-opened Prairie State, and set- 
tled in Marion county; where, on the twenty-ninth of September, 
1829, he was married to Miss Mary Dorris, daughter of John Dor- 
ris, w'ho emigrated from Smith county, Tennessee, to Marion 
county, Illinois, in 1827. Al)out four years after their marriage, 
the worthy couple came to make their home in McDonough 
county, arriving here in the spring of 1833, and settling in Xew 
Salem township, on the north side of Camp creek; where, in the 
edge of the timber, he erected his cabin and commenced to im- 
prove the land he had entered. They were the first couple to 
settle upon the north side of the creek and to encroach upon the 
broad, fertile prairie which is now dotted over with fine farm- 
houses and barns, being, without doubt, the wealthiest portion of 
the county. Mr. Yocum settled u[)on section nineteen, and there 



524 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY'. 

lived and labored the rest of his life, rearing a large and respected 
family, and improving one of the best farms in the county. As a 
farmer he was eminently successful, for, besides accumulating 
considerable wealth, he gave much to various enterprises, be- 
nevolent and otherwise. It was well known by all acquainted 
with the man that Major Yocum never turned away 
a person in need. lie gave liberally to build churches 
of all denominations. He had a heart easily touched and hands 
that gave liberally. He gave to them whom he had never seen, 
requiring only to know that they were in need and worthy. Sev- 
eral years before his death, he received a letter from an aged 
couple, distant relatives, who he had never seen, and who lived 
nearly a thousand miles away, asking assistance. The letter told of 
their poverty and suffering, and as he read, the tears flowed, free- 
ly, and, handing it to his wife, lie said: "How much shall we 
send?" During the remainder of his life he continued to provide 
for them, and now that he is gone, they are not forgotten by his 
loved companion. 

While living in the southern part of the State, Mr. Yocum was 
elected Lieutenant of the State Militia, and afterwards promoted 
to the Captaincy. When the war against the celebrated Indian 
chief. Black Hawk, broke out, he was bj^ the Governor, commis- 
sioned as Major, and as such served faithfully during the war. By 
the title bestowed upon him he was ever afterward known. 

Mr. YoQum was always kind to his cliildren and liberally pro- 
vided for each. There were in all, eleven children, nine girls and 
two boys, one of the latter dying in infancy, the other reaching 
hig majority, and enlistingin the service of his country as a mem- 
ber of Company C, 84th regiment Illinois volunteers. He was 
made regimental color bearer, and at the battle of Stone River, 
December 81, 1862, he laid down his life in defense of his country. 
Unfortunately that part of the field was taken by the enem}^ soon 
after he fell, and whether they buried him or his body was interred 
by others, was never known, as his body was never recovered. 
This was a sad loss to his loving parents who doted on him as an 
only son and would have sacrificed anything to give him Chris- 
tian burial. A beautiful monument has been erected to his mem- 
ory in the cemetery at Pennington's Point. Of the girls, seven are 
now living, all occupying the position of wives of loving husbands. 

Major Yocum was very jovial in nature, and loved his joke and 
delighted in playing them upon both his friends and unsuspect- 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 525 

ing strangers. To illustrate : — One evening, a little before dark, 
two men rode up to his cabin and asked the privilege of remain- 
ing over night. The Major told them he could accommodate 
them, provided they could live on the same article of diet that 
his family did — slippery elm bark, at the same time showing 
them a number of large trees that had lately been stripped of the 
bark. The strangers hardly knew what to do, as they disliked to 
impose upon a family reduced to such a stress, but after consult- 
ing together, and learning the distance was great to another place 
where they likely would be received, they concluded to remain 
during the night, even if compelled to eat slippery elm bark. 
Judge of their surprise when called to supper. They sat dow^n to 
as good a meal as they ever enjoyed in their lives. Another time, 
the Major drove over to the town of Vermont, arriving there 
about time for supper. Driving in front of the hotel he called 
out to the landlord, who at once responded to the call. •' Land- 
lord," said he, " can you accommodate a man with a night's 
lodgings who is without money, and who is compelled to leave 
home to obtain something for wife and children, who for weeks 
have had nothing to eat but slippery elm bark ? " " Yes," replied 
the landlord, " drive around to the barn, teed your horses, and 
then come to the house." After a good night's rest and a warm 
breakfast, the Major went out to the barn, and getting his team, 
again drove around to the front of the hotel and called out the 
landlord. " Landlord," said he, "I am ever so much obliged to 
you for the tavor you have shown me, and it only w^ife and child- 
ren could have enjoyed your hospitality, I should be happy. To 
think of them being compelled to eat slippery elm bark while I 
was here living on the fat of the land is terrible to think of. But, 
landlord, I will always remember you, and now I want to know 
what you will charge me for what I have had. I may have money 
some day, and would like to pay." The landlord assured him he 
would take nothing; he was welcome to what he had ; thathe would 
gladly do something for his wife and children. "But, landlord, I 
want to know, because I may be able to pay you sometime." The 
landlord then named a small sum. Pulling a large wallet from an 
inside pocket, and exhibiting a roll of bills, the Major said : "Well, 
landlord, I guess I might as w^ell pay now, and then I will have it 
oft my mind." The landlord was afterwards heard enquiring of 
Joab Mershon, who that crazy man was that talked of living on 
slippery elm bark and had a pocket full of money. 



526 HSTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Major Yocum wus a man of medium hoiglit, well built, in his 
\oungcr (lays boiug rather thin, but bceomiug ])ortly with age ; 
possessed a quick and active mind, strong will, and tender heart. 
lie never made a profession of religion, but always lived a good 
moral life, complying with the golden rule in doing unto others as 
he would others should do unto him. As a husband and father he 
was kind and affectionate; as a neighbor, obliging; as a cit- 
izen, enterprising and liberal. He departed this life on the 
twenty-second day of October, 1874. 

His funeral was preached by the Rev. W. S. Campbell, a Cumber- 
land Presbyterian minister, and his remains were consigned to 
the tomb at Pennington's Point, this county. His loss was deeply 
felt by a large circle of friends all over the county, as w^ell as 
elsewhere. His good wife still survives him. Xone can tell how 
much he is missed by her who for nearly fifty years traveled with 
him the journey of life. Mrs. Yocum is now in her seventieth 
year, and enjoys moderately good health. She has been a faith- 
ful wife and a loving mother, and enjoys the love of all who are so 
fortunate as to know her. For fifty-five years she has been a 
consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, unit- 
ing at the age of fourteen with the Dry Fork church, in Sumner 
county, Tennessee. For a number of years her membership, in 
this county, was wnth the Walnut Grove C. P. church, but at 
present she is connected wMth the church at Bardolph. Mrs. 
Yocum makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. William Harlan, 
who resides upon the old homestead, and is gently passing down 
life's river, fearing naught, but ready when the summons come to 
join the loved ones on the other side of the River of Death. 



HISTORY OF M DONOUGH COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXXV 



RELIGIOUS. 



In seeking a new home at the present day, the question is al- 
most invariably asked as to what are the religious influences in 
the community to which it is desired to emigrate. A communit}' 
in which the school-house and the church find a special recogni- 
tion will always be selected in preference to the one in which 
these are not found. Men of the world recognize the fact that 
education and Christian institutions are the handmaids of gen- 
eral thrift and prosperity. Improvements in the manners, tastes, 
and moral status of the people, follow closely the preaching of the 
gospel. Says Ford, in his History of Illinois : 

"As to the practice of attending church on Sunday, I am confi- 
dent that it produced these efiects [the improvement in dress, 
manners, etc.]. I have observed very carefully in the course of 
tbirty-five years spent npon the frontiers, that in those neighbor- 
hoods where the people habitually neglect to attend public wor- 
ship on Sundays, such improvements rarely, if ever, take place. 
In such places, the young people feel no pride, and do not desire 
improvement. They scarcely ever throw aside their every-day, 
rough apparel to dress up neat and clean on Sunday. On that 
day the young men are seen Avith uncombed heads, unshorn beards, 
and unwashed linen, strolling in the woods hunting, or on the 
race course, or at a grocery contracting habits of intoxication, or 
lounging sullenly and lazily at home. The young women, in ap- 
pearance, dress, manners and intelligence, are the fit companions 
for their brothers. Sunday, to them, brings no bright skies, no 
gladness, no lively or cheerful thoughts, no spirits renovated by 
mixing in the sober, decent, quiet, but gay assemblage of youth 
and beauty. Their week of labor is not cheered by anticipations 



528 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

of the gay and bright fete with which it is to close. Labor 
through the week is to them a drudgery ; and is performed with 
surliness and grudging; and their Sabbaths are spent in heedless, 
sleepy stupidity. The young people of both, sexes are without 
self-respect, and are conscious of not deserving the respect of 
others. They feel a crushing and withering sense of meanness 
and inferiority, mingled with an envious malignity towards all 
excellence in others who exhibit an ambition for improvement. 
Such neighborhoods arc pretty certain to breed up a rough, vi- 
cious, ill-mannered and ill-natured race of men and women." 

The early settlers of this county were especially blessed with 
respect to religious influences. The sound of the hammer, used 
in the erection of the first cabin, had hardly died away before the 
minister of the gospel made his appearance. As recorded else- 
where, a few families settled in the neighborhood of the present 
town of Industry in 1827, forming what was long known as "Car- 
ter's Settlement." In May, 1828, Elder John Logan, then in con- 
nection with w^hat is now known as the Regular Baptists, settled 
in this place, living for the first six or eight months in the old 
block house, situated on the farm of William ('arter. In this 
house he preached the first sermon ever preached in the county, 
some time in June of the same year ; about the same time he 
there organized the first Sunday School in the county. 

Elder Logan was a hard-working, zealous, Christian man, and 
spent much time in laboring for his master. For many years he 
travelled from settlement to settlement, in what is known as the 
Military Tract, as well as in regions beyond, preaching the gospel 
of Jesus Christ. He was the first missionary appointed by the 
Baptist Home Missionary Society, of Boston, Massachusetts, re- 
ceiving as salary the munificent sum of one hundred dollars per 
year. For accepting this appointment he was excluded from the 
fellowship of the church in which he held membership, and from 
the association, but, in connection with others, he organized 
another congregation, continuing his labors as a minister of the 
gospel to the salvation of many souls. He was instrumental in 
organizing many of the Missionary Baptist Churches in this sec- 
tion, ai d his name is held in grateful remembrance by all who 
had the pleasure of forming his acquaintance. 

For the following highly interesting and graphic sketch of the 
Regular Baptist denomination, we arc indebted to Elder I. N. 
Van Meter : 



HISTORY OF M'dONOU<;H COUNTY 529 

R E (i U L A R BAPTIST S — L I) S C il L . 

Wliile the Old School, or Regular J5aptists, are strong in num- 
bers, inHuence and respectability in some other parts of this 
State, and more particularly in some of" the other States, and have 
some very ably edited papers, yet, in all McDonough county they 
make but a poor show as to numbers, and as to their standing and 
influence in civil society they claim only their proportionate part 
with the rest of the community. 

Elder John Logan, a Baptist minister, preached the first gospel 
sermon ever heard in McDonough county, at what date I am not 
able to learn, but in the month of November, 1831, Elder Logan 
and Elder Stephen Strickland constituted a Baptist Church in 
J>ethel township, named Union, composed of teu members — four 
males and six females. At that time the Baptists of the western 
country generally went by the name of United Baptists. The cir- 
cumstances leading to the adoption of the name United, I shall 
not attempt to rehearse, as I consider it unnecessary in this brief 
article. I will simpl}^ state this much about the appellation 
United Baptist : That in some of the western States about the 
beginning of the present century, the "regular" and "separate"' 
branches of the Baptist denomination united together under the 
name of the United Baptists, and the early Settlers of this county 
who maintained Baptist sentiments, w^ere organized under this 
name. The reasons which led this little Church the next year to 
change her name from United to that of Regutar Baptist, as well 
as many other Churches in the south and west, I shall briefly 
state presently. 

Tlie names of the constituents of Union Church are as follows: 
.lohn Gibson, Xancy Gibson, AVilliam Stephens, Sarah Stephens, 
James Edmondston, Polly Edmondston, Richard Morris, Abigal 
Ferguson, Cassanda Morris and Sarah C. Palmer. Elders Logan 
and Strickland do not appear to have met with this little church 
often after they organized her, but in July, 1832, Thomas IL 
Owen, a licentiate, visited and preached to them. Owen located 
in Hancock county, and was afterward ordained a minister, and be- 
came a man of ability. He represented his county in the (general 
Assembly of Illinois one or more terms, then emigrated to Zene 
Zene, Cal., where he still lives, and is able to preach and write 
8ome to the ediflcation of the saints. John Gibson, one of the 
constituents of this churcli, was one of the early settlers in the 



.530 HISTORY OK m'doNOUGH COUNTY. 

<jounty, and located at an early date on the road from Macomb to 
Qiiincy, where he resided till his death, April 22, 1869. " Uncle " 
John Gibson was as well known among the Baptists of the sur- 
rounding country as any other private member. He had much 
intercourse with them, his doors always open to receive them, and 
on two occasions of our annual associations being held near him, 
he fed over two hundred persons, and also lodged them in his 
house and in his barn, often telling his brethren, in his jovial way, 
that the "soft side of a board was good enough for a Hardshell 
Baptist." 

In 1832 the church called Elder AYilliam Bradley to the pas- 
toral care of the same. Early in the fall of 1832 this church sent 
messengers to the Spoon River Association, and was received into 
her correspondence and fellowship, although she was composed of 
^'Regular" Baptist churches, associated together for mutual edifi- 
cation and correspondence. The little church of Union in No- 
vember of the same year considered the propriety of changing 
the name by which she was known from United to Regular Bap- 
tist, and the change was made by unanimous consent. Her rea- 
sons for dropping the name United and assuming the name Regu- 
lar she believed to be of sufficient importance to warrant the 
<jhange of this qualifying appellative attached to what was orig- 
inally the Baptist Church. First, she found that the articles of 
faith of the Association of the Regular Baptist churches were 
substantially the same as her own ; secondly, she liad learned to 
her deep sorrow and grief that many bearing the name of United 
Baptist Churches had, as she verily believed, departed from the 
faith and practice of the gospel, and hence she, for the sake of 
consistency, harmony and good order, took the name of Regular 
Baptist by mutual consent. In doing this, however, she did not 
change a single article of her faith, or a single clause in her rules 
of decorum. And what is here said of the Union Church in 
dropping the Ihiited and assuming the name Regular Baptist may 
be said of many similar ones throughout the South and West, and 
even elsewhere. 

The Baptist Church was once a unit, and love, and peace, and 
fellowship abounded among our people ; but now, the name "Bap- 
tist" is not understood by the community without a pre-fix to 
distinguish the kind of Baptist intended by the speaker or writer. 



HISTORY OF m'oONOUGH COUNTY. 531 

With due (lof'erenco aiul respect to the opinions ot all other de- 
nominations of professed Christians the Kegular JJaptist Church 
(in many places called Primitive Baptists, and Old School Baptists,) 
claim to he a copy of the original gospel churches of the New 
Testament, in doctrine and practice. She acknowledges the Holy 
Scriptures as her only rule of faith and practice, and as heing a 
sufficient rule for her till the end of time; hence she looks upon 
all the liKuJcrti uircntions and ."societies of men, in the things of re- 
ligion, as heing subversive of the peace and order of the church, 
and as unspeakable abominations in the sight of God. I do not 
intend, in this briet notice of our very limited number of mem- 
bers in this county, to enter into the discussion of theological 
questions, but tor the information of those who are not acquainted 
with the faith and practice of the liegular Baptists, and for the 
perusal of those who shall succeed this generation, I will merely 
state that, as a general rule, our churches are opposed to her 
members joining secret societies, or &\\y religious society where 
money is required to secure membership or office. They are op- 
posed to the modern system of preaching under contract for mon- 
ey ; to theological schools for the education of ministers ; the re- 
ligious festivals for the raising of funds for church purposes, etc., 
believing these, ami many others of modern invention, are innova- 
tions upon the sacred scriptures, and have a tendency to bring the 
standard of Truth into disrepute, and lead to infidelity. But they 
as a body, do not make political opinions, or any other more sec- 
ular concern, or worldly employments, a test of church fellow- 
ship, or a bar against any; on the contrary, they most cordially 
invite all who love God, and are willing to obey the order of the 
house, to come, and go with them. 

In 1833, Elder Micajah B. Rowland joined the Union Church 
by letter, and soon became pastor of the church, and was released 
from it in 1885. lie afterward removed to Iowa, and continued 
to preach until he w^as worn out with old age. 

In 1835, Samuel \j. Dark, a licentiate, was received by letter, 
and was ordained in 1840. He now resides near Brooklyn, 
Schuyler county, and is still busily engaged in proclaiming the 
gospel far and near. There is something very peculiar in the 
conversion of this man. In 1831 he was in the Black Hawk war, 
under General Duncan, and being from Schuyler county, and be- 
ing unsurpassed for wit, humor and fun, he was called the Srhny- 



532 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

ler County Fool-Killer, generally among the camps ; and Laving 
a wonderful memory and a great tact at mimicry, he was fre- 
quently engaged in preaching the funeral of dead horses and 
mules. While encamped in the bottom where the city of Rock 
Island now stands, he was engaged in the funeral services of a 
defunct mule ; and during his solemn appeals to heaven, amidst a 
crowd of soldiers, he was suddenly seized with strong convictions 
for his sins and blasphemies, and never found rest until he found 
it at the feet of Christ. Elder D, has preached so much in this 
county, and for a while, I believe, resided in it, that I feel justi- 
fied in giving this remarkable incident in his life. He still has a 
retentive memory, and is an able minister of the Xew Testament. 
The little band steadily increased in numbers, holding their meet- 
ings in private houses, until finally they were enabled to build a 
house a few miles southeast of Middletown. 

In 1838 Elder Robert Mays joined them by letter, and was for 
a while pastor of the church. His widow still survives, residing 
in Iowa, aged over ninety, but has been blind for several years. 

In 1838 Elder John Driskill joined them by letter and became 
their pastor, and remained with them till his death, which oc- 
curred in 1857 or 1858. 

Elder George Tracy, of Hancock county, was pastor of the 
church for a few months, and on the twenty-seventh of May, 
1858, he dropped dead at the saw mill at Tucker Town. He was a 
worthy man, and much missed after his decease. 

In September, 1858, the writer of this sketch became pastor of 
the little church, and sustains that relation to it up to the present 
time; the last few years, however, Elder Jacob Castlebury and 
Elder T. I^. Frazee, of Plymouth, have generally attended half of 
the meetings. Elder Frazee, who was an able and worthy brother, 
died in March, 1873. 

This church has met in the village of Middletown for many 
years, and has recently built a new house of worship. She has 
never numbered at any one time, perhaps, over thirty-iive or forty 
members, but has dismissed by letter, from time to time, enough 
members to form another respectable church or two, who have 
moved out of her bounds. Enough of her members have left the 
militant state and gone to the triumphant, to form a good sized 
congregation, as she has been organized nearly forty-live years. 
She has now thirty-seven communicants, all in peace. 



HISTORY OK M DONOlKiH COUiNTY. 533 

Antioch Church of llcgalar Baptists. — This little church was 
organized in Middletown in February, 1841, at which time the 
LTuion Church held her meetings a few miles southeast of there. 
Elders T. II. Owen and Moses Frazee officiated in the constitution 
of this church. But four persons were ready to go into the organ- 
ization at the time as a nucleus around which others were ex- 
pected soon to gather. The constituents were John McCormick, 
Parthena McCormick, William D. Stevens, and Holly Edmonston. 
Immediately after they were organized six others were added to 
their number, and they afterward made a reasonable growth. In 
April of the same year Elder Owen became pastor of the church, 
and the same year she connected herself with the Salem Associa- 
tion of churches, which included parts of Hancock, Adams and 
Brown counties. In 1843 she built a house of worship in Mid- 
dletown, where she held her regular meetings, attended by Elder 
Owen and occasionally by Elder Frazee. Finally, however, they 
tound themselves deprived of a pastor, and becoming satisfied 
that the labors of one could not be secured, they consulted to- 
gether and mutually agreed to dissolve the organization by giving 
each other letters of dismission to join other churches. This was 
done in October, 1849; since which the members have united else- 
where, the most of them joining the Union Church, now meeting 
in Middletown. John McCormick, one of her constituents, came 
from Kentucky in 1835 or 1836, and has been for many years liv- 
ing with his second wife, both estimable people, and the old gen- 
tleman is now largely over eighty, but is able to attend to his own 
business. Another one of the constituents, William I). Stevens, 
and his estimable lady, are the parents of the editor of the Ma- 
comb Independent. This couple are both living near Colchester. 

Besides these two organizations, there have been one or more 
churches constituted, which had similar Articles of Faith, to 
those of the present Regular, or Old School Baptists, but have 
since gone with the ISTew School party. 

The Ivegular Baptists have now but one church, which meets 
regularly within the county, but there are churches of our order 
holding regular sessions in all the adjoining counties, so that some 
of the members of at least four churches, which meet out of the 
county, reside in this county. Our entire number of communi- 
cants, resident in the county, do not, perhaps, reach over sixty. 

u— 34 



534 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

The writer is tlie only Regular Baptist minister now perma- 
nently residing in the connty. lie came from Iventnck}', and 
located in Macomb township in March, 1855. He attends four 
churches monthly, one near Jacksonville, one near La Harpe, one 
at Greenbnsh and- one at Middletown, besides nuicli other travel- 
ing to special meetings. 

Our aged brother, Elder John B. Moore, owns a farm in the 
south part of this county, but is spending the most of the eve- 
ning of his life visiting the churches and his many friends in the 
northwest. 

This old pioneer, and veteran of the cross of Christ, has trav- 
eled on horseback a distance that would belt onr globe more than 
three times around. 

Wishing you success in yonr History of McDonough County, 
the above brief sketch is submitted. 

Isaac N. Van Meter. 
3Iacomh, Illinois, Jane, 1876. 

Elder YanMeter, the writer of the above, is well known through- 
out McDonough and surrounding counties as an estimable Chris- 
tian gentleman, one having the cause of his Master at heart. 
His labors are very arduous, but he does not complain, believing 
the reward will come bye-and-b3^ 

CHRISTIAN. 

Following closely the Baptists, this earnest body of disciples 
made their appearance, the first preaching being in the year 
1831, by Elders Bristow and Long. They now number nine 
congregations, with a membership of 1,121. The religious views 
of the denomination are now so well known it is useless to give 
them in this place. In numbers, in the county they are second 
among the various denominations. We give, in the order of or- 
ganization, short sketches of the various congregations. 

Bland ins fille Christian Church. — This is the oldest church of 
the denomination in the county, and was formerly known as the 
Liberty Church, situated a iew miles from the town. It was 
organized in the year 1832. In 1849, by vote, it was removed to 
Blandinsville. Since locating here it has had it seasons of pros- 
perity and seasons of adversity. During the war it was somewhat 
divided on that question, and bitter feelings engendered then 
brought forth imperfect fruit. The following named have acted 



HISTORY OF m'donough county. 635 

as pastors of the congregation : Elders Long, Kigdon, Eads, 
Dodge, Patrick Murphy, ]>edford Murphy, Lieurance, Coffee, 
Hallam, Trickett, Leek, Goodnight. The memhership is now 
about 200. Their church property is vahied at $1,500. Amount 
raised per year for all church purposes, $750, of which $600 is 
paid the pastor. Their Sunday School numbers 100, with aver- 
age attendance of 65, and annual contributions of $30. 

Macomb Christian Church. — The first discourse ever delivered 
by a Disciple in Macomb, was by Elder Livy Ilatchitt, at the 
house of David Clarke, in the year 1835. Elder H. came to Ma- 
comb and endeavored to get the use of some public building, but 
was refused on account of his supposed heterodoxy. Mr. Clarke, 
who had read much of the writings of Alexander Campbell, and 
who subscribed generally to his views, offered his house, which 
was accepted. No special results followed the preaching, but it 
was supposed the "good seed" was sown, which brought forth 
fruit in after years. 

By 1845 quite a number of disciples had gathered in the neigh- 
borhood of Macomb, and they resolved to organize, if possible. 
They sent for Elder Davenport, of Walnut Grove, now Eureka, 
111., who, not being able to come, sent A. J. Kane, then a young 
Evangelist. Elder Kane came, and, securing the old courthouse, 
preached with such force and power as to turn twenty-nine souls 
to the Lord. 

Dr. Young organized the congregation September 16th, 1845, 
with seventeen members, which, adding the twenty-nine obtained 
under Elder Kane's preaching, made a band of forty-six earnest 
disciples. 

The following are the names of the original seventeen mem- 
bers : Benjamin F. Martin, AVilliam H. Franklin, James S. 
Palmer, James Clarke, William B. Pile, ILannah B. Pile, William 
Maxwell, Lucy Maxwell, Elizabeth G. Palmer, George Booth, 
Isabella Booth, Lucy Beard, Margaret Broaddus, Emily J. 
Sweeney, Sarah Bacon, Rachel Hampton, Maria J. Franklin. 

The following officers were chosen: B. F. Martin and W. 11. 
Franklin, Elders — both of whom are Elders of the Church at the 
present time; James S. Palmer and James Clarke, Deacons. 

Ko regular preaching was had for some months, but the congre- 
gation niet regularly upon the Lord's day to break bread. 



536 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

The following named have served as pastors of the congrega- 
tion : Elders Livj Ilatchett, ^V. W. Hopkins, W. P. Shockey, W. 
O. Miller, 8amuel Lowe, J. C. Eeynolds (about eleven years), J. 
11. Garrison, P. K. Dibble, J. H. Smart, and G. W. Mapes. 
Several successful revivals have been enjoyed by the church 
under the preaching of such men as A. J. Kane, William 
Brown, Ziba Brown, William J. Houston, Dr. Ilopkinson, John S. 
Sweeney, Samuel Lowe, J. C. Peynolds, Dr. Dunkeson, D. R. 
Lucas, P. K. Dibble and J. 11. Smart. Since the organization 
eight hundred and seventy persons have united with this congre- 
gation, making an average of twenty-nine per year. 

The church building is on Carroll street, east of Lafayette. It 
was erected in 1845, and has been in constant use ever since. It 
is the oldest church structure now standing in Macomb. The 
value of church property is $3,500. 

W. 11. Franklin, B. F. Martin, J. C. Reynolds and J. T. Webb, 
elders ; J. L. Russell, S. P. Danley, C. S. Churchill, W. S. Mc- 
Clelland and Joseph Stover, deacons. The average annual contri- 
bution, $1,500. J. S. Gash, superintendent of the Sunday school, 
which has an average attendance of one hundred and twenty-five 
scholars. 

Bedford Christian Church. — This congregation was organized 
April 7, 1850, by Elder Milton Dodge, with the following mem- 
bers : liichard Brightwell, Eliza Brightwell, Elizabeth Bright- 
well, Charles Bradshaw, John Gibson, Elizabeth Johnson, Benja- 
min Moore, Margaret Moore, Robert McCaully, Margaret 
McCaully, Noble Ousley, Naoma Ousley, William and Grace 
Pennington, McKamey Ruddle, Rachel Spikers, Peter Shelly, 
William and Silva Arnold, James and Margaret Cyrus, Elizabeth 
Duncan, Margaret Emerson, Walter Huston, Sen., Walter Huston, 
Jr., James and Harriet Hamilton, Joel B. and Catharine Huston, 
Waney Huston, Sen., Waney Huston, Jr., Zelpha Huston, David 
Shelley, Elizabeth Shelley, Eliza Si)iker, Horatus and Eliza 
AVeston. 

The following persons have served as pastors: Elders Dodge, 
Patrick Murphy, Bedford Murphy, Reynolds, Kern, Ades, Ross, 
Lieurance, Coflee, Lucy, Fisher, Wallace, Huston, Goodnight 
and the present pastor, James McGuire. 

The Church building is located upon the northeast quarter of 
i^ection five, Blandinsville township, and is valnedat one thousand 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 537 

five hundred dollars. Parsonage valued at twelve hundred dol- 
lars. Salary of pastor, eight hundred dollars. Trcsent member- 
ship, two hundred and thirty-four. Annual contribution, twelve 
hundred dollars. Average attendance in Sunday School, one hun- 
dred and twenty. Annual collection, ninety dollars. 

Mound Christian Church. — This church was organized in 1857, 
by Elder J. 13. Royal; there were then sixteen members. Meet- 
ings were held regularly in school houses until 18(54, when the 
present church structure was completed. It is located on section 
fourteen, of Mound township, and was built at a cost of $2,000. 
It is a good frame building 30 feet by 45 in size. The present men - 
bership is forty-five. At one time it numbered one hundred, but 
many have since moved away. The Elders are : Henry S. Gustine, 
and J. II. Langsford. The deacons are: Samson Ilyett, II. Liud- 
sey, and F. Weston, and the trustees are . J. II. Langsford, P. H. 
Wilson, and H. Lindsey. 

Since the organization the following ministers have served as 
pastors: D. Dunkeson, Thomas Thompson, A. K. Brown, II. 
C. Littleton, and J. B. Royal, the present pastor. The member- 
ship of the Sunday school is fifty; II. S. Gustine is the Super- 
intendent. 

New Salem Christian Church. — The following is taken from the 
first page of the church record : "We the undersigned disciples of 
Ghrist, in obedience to the Great Head of the church, do now sol- 
emnly and joyfully agree with each other to walk together in the 
Lord with brotherly love, as a Church of Christ, and do also take 
the Bible as our rule of faith and practice. Done in Wetsel school 
house, in New Salem township, April 8, 1859. William A. Griffin, 
James D. Swartz, Daniel Wilson, Hugh Chapman, William 
Kelley, Jane Kerr, Julia Ann Chapman, Sarah Swearingen, Al- 
raira Hays, Josiah Herlocker, Margaret Herlocker, Mary J. 
Grifiin, George Kerr, Caleb Ilipsley, America McVey and Jane 
Chapman." 

The church edifice is situated on the northwest corner of section 
thirty-four of New Salem township, and was erected in 1867 at a 
cost of $2,400. It is a good, substantial frame building', thirty- 
two by forty-five feet, and well finished. 

The congregation was organized April 8, 1859, by Elder J. B. 
Royal, of Vermont, Illinois. The number of original members 
was sixteen. The present membership is sixty-six. Previous to 



538 HISTORY OF m'doNOUGH COUNTY. 

the organization the Disciples held regular meetings in the school 
house near by, as also for several years after. 

The present elders of the congregation are Richard Pennington 
and Eli Miller, and the deacons are David Miner and James M. 
Swearingen. The trustees are George Seaburn, W. A. Griffin 
and Jacob Grimm. Henry Smithers is the present pastor. J. B. 
]loyal, J. C. Reynolds, William Griffin, A. P. Aten, A. Brown 
and A. Johnson have served respectively as pastors. 

JohnA. Wetsel is the Superintendent of the Sunday school. 
The average attendance of the school is about sixty. 

Colchester Christian Church. — The Cliristian Church at Col- 
chester was organized April 1, 1867, by Elders J. C. Reynolds 
and C. Ades, with 116 members. In the following year a good 
frame church building was erected at a cost of $3,000; its size 
is o6 by 56 feet. 

The various pastors employed by this congregation from time 
to time have been Elders J. C. Reynolds, C. Ades, J. 11. Garrison, 
A. P. Aten, J. C. Winter, and H. P. Tandy. The present mem- 
bership is about ninety. The following are the church officers: 
Elders, S. T. Moore and Wm. Tandy; deacons, William Morrison 
and Adam Taylor; clerk, S. D. Mills. The average attendance in 
Sunday School is 122; the annual contribution $75. S. T. Moore 
superintendent. 

Sciota Christian Church. — The church structure of this congre- 
gation was erected in 1869, before the organization of the church. 
It is a good frame building, 32x46 feet and cost $2,250. William 
II. Franklin was the prime mover in this work. The building 
committee consisted of W. II. Franklin, John Dew, and J. M. 
Russell. 

Before the building of the church, meetings were held in a 
shed, built for the purpose, on ground near the church. Here 
Elders J. C. Reynolds and Coffee held a meeting, the first of this 
denomination in the town. Elder J.B. Royal preached the tirstser- 
mon in the church, while Elder J. II. Garrison delivered the dedi- 
catory sermon. Elder S. K. Ilallam was the first pastor, J. II. 
Seaton the second. Elder Thomas Goodnight preaches once each 
month. Elders, Samuel Dey and E. S. Agncvv. The first elders 
were Larkin Osborn and William Smith. Deacon, Silas Wood- 
eide. The congregation, which had run down considerably, was 



HISTORY OF m'donough county. 539 

reorganized January 27, 1&7G, with seven members. The present 
membership is thirty. 

New Bedford Christian Church. — The church edihce stands on 
the northwest corner of section seven of Walnut Grove town- 
ship, and was erected in 1876, at a cost of $2,500. The size is 
thirty-two feet by fifty-six. It is one of the neatest country 
churches in the county, and an honor to any community. 

The society was organized by Elder J. H. Breeden, with four- 
teen members, in Xovember, 1871. The present membership is 
eighty-six. 

Elder George Brokaw is the present pastor. The elders are J. 
H. Painter, A. J. Clayton, II. II. Brady and W. Beckelhymer. 
The Deacons, J. S. Brooks, Alexander Beckelhymer and E. Dice. 
William Beckelhymer, clerk. 

The pastors, since the organization, have been J. II. Breeden, 
John Huston and J. II. Painter. 

William Beckelhymer is Superintendent of the Sunday School, 
of which there is an average attendance of thirty-five. 

Bushnell Christian Church. — We have been unable to obtain a 
sketch of this congregation, and cannot say when or by whom it 
w^as organized. A large brick church was erected in 1867, and 
dedicated in the early part of 1868, by Elder J. C. Reynolds, of 
Macomb. This building is now valued at |2,500. It is plain, but 
comfortable and substantial. The membership of the congrega- 
tion is 120; annual contributions, $1,000 ; Sunday School — aver- 
age attendance, 65 ; annual contributions, $50. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church numbers more than any other 
body of christians in the county, having a membership of 1,374, 
in addition to a large number of probationers. Their system of 
itinerant work has much to do with their success. While others 
lagged in the work they have pushed boldly on, holding their 
meetings in public halls, school houses, private dwellings, barns, 
or any place where the people could be brought together to hear 
the proclamation of the gospel. Whatever may be said of the 
religious views of this denomination, its zeal is to be com- 
mended ; and to the fact that its membership is zealous, in a 
great measure, is due its numbers and influence in this county. 
In the beginning of their work |here, they had the services of 
some of the best workers in their ranks, unioiio: whom was the 



540 HISTORY OF m'donou(;h county. 

old and eccentric pioneer preacher, Peter Cartwright, who labored 
in all parts of the county, and who was instrumental in the salva- 
tion of many souls. Following will be found sketches of the 
various congregations in the county, in order of their organiza- 
tion, together with a summary of their work : 

Methodist Episcopal Church, Macomb. — The first regular preach- 
ing in Macomb, of this denomination, was in 1832, and by the 
Rev, Peter Cartwright, the celebrated pioneer Methodist preacher, 
who organized the M. E. congregation of Macomb the same year. 

Meetings were held in the old court-house until 1835, when a 
very respectable brick building was erected on ground given by 
Hon. James M, Campbell, on the site of the present Church edi- 
fice, on Lafayette street, north of Carroll street. 

In 1847 the Church building blew down, when services were 
held conjointly with the Presbyterians, in their Church building. 
A very earnest union revival was held by the two congregations, 
in this Church, which resulted in bringing many into it. The 
Church building was rebuilt in 1848, 

In 1854, the circuit heretofore rattier large, was divided, leaving 
Macomb only two appointments, viz. : Wolf Grove and Spring 
Creek, During thia year the Church building again blew down, 
but the faithful members were not discouraged, only the more 
determined, and soon set about to erect another and larger build- 
ing. One 40x70 teet was built this time and dedicated in 1857, T, 
M. Eddy, editor of the Xorthwestern Christian Advocate, deliv- 
ering the dedicatory sermon, Puring the interval spent in re- 
building, services were held in the Christian Church and in the 
court-house, 

P>y 1858 the congregation had become so large as to require the 
undivided time of the pastor, and consequently Macomb was set 
off as a separate station. 

The church building in 1875 was rebuilt and refitted at a cost of 
$4,076. A very tall and beautifully proportioned steeple towered far 
above the building, but not long after the new edifice had been 
dedicated — Bishop Simpson preaching the dedicatory sermon — 
and during a most violent storm the spire was blown down, caus- 
ing some damage to the front walls. Immediately the debris was 
cleared away, and a cupola of less pretensions was erected. The 
value of the church building, which is a neat and commodious 
brick structure, is |>10,000. A large bell is swung in the cupola. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 541 

On the corner ot Lafayette and Calhoun streets, and just to 
the north of the Church, is the parsonage, a good frame residence 
worth ^1,200. The following is a report for the year ending July 
23d, 1876, prepared by the pastor, Hev. M. A. Head, and submit- 
ted to the quarterly conference : 

Tn the beginning of the year there were two hundred and forty - 
four members and fifteen probationers. During the year we have 
received by letter sixteen, and from probation two. Organized a 
class at McNair's school house of fifteen, making a total of thirty- 
three. We have dismissed by letter ten. Died during the year, 
four, making a total of fourteen. Leaving a membership in full 
connection, two hundred and sixty-three. We have received on 
probation, thirty-five; dismissed from probation by letter, three; 
leaving forty-five probationers — in all, two hnndred and sixty- 
three members and forty-five probationers. Our congregations 
have been good, and our prayer meetings well attended, averaging 
sixty. The benevolence of onr church will cover the assessment, 
and we hope they will rise above them. 

The spiritual condition of the church is healthy. The following 
is the number of periodicals taken within the bounds of this 
charge: New York Advocate, three ; Western Christian Advo- 
cate, two; Northwestern Christian Advocate, fifteen ; Ladies' Re- 
pository, one; Golden Hour, one. Our Sunday school is in a 
flourishing condition. We have a good attendance and good 
interest. We have made some valuable additions to our library. 
Our school will contribute about sixty dollars this year to the 
cause of missions. The average attendance is one hundred and 
sixty-one. 

The followins: is a list of those servincj as Presiding Elders in 
this circuit since 1832 : Peter Cartwright, Michael Taylor, Peter 
Atkins, N. G. Berryman, John S. Barger, R. Ilaney, John Morey, 
Milton Bourne, II. Summers, A. Magee, W. II. Hunter, W. D. 
Underwood, Henderson Ritchie, G. M. Irwin, and B. E. Kauf- 
man. The following is the correct list of all the various pastors 
in charge of this church : H. Summers, T. N. Ralston, P. R. 
Boring, William Window, D. B. Carter, Enos Thompson, John 
R. Richmond, Chauncy Ilobart, E. Tracj", John storey, R. W. 
Clark, William Hindall, Freeborn Ilaney, Samuel Pillsbury, H. 
Iladley, Geo. Whitcmore, Seth Ford, B. Courtwright, B. C. Swartz. 
B. II. Courtwright, J. B. Quinly, William M. Clark, S. S. Robin- 



542 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

son, W. II. Jackson, James Taylor, P. C. Brooks, Allen Head, 
W. S. Smith, W. J. Beck, Milton Bourne, Benjamin Applebee, 
Andrew Miller, i'. T. Rhodes, William AViUon, G. K. Palmer, A. 
1). McCool, William Watson, J. II. Rhea, J. C. Rybolt, Henderson 
Ritchie, Peter Warner, Mr. Zimmerman, B. 1). Dennis, L. B. 
Kent, and the present pastor, M. A, Head. The present stewards 
are : R. PI. Broaddus, J. T. Adcock, Levi Argenbright, B. P). In- 
gram, C. W. Slade, A. L. Sparks, G. W. P^yre, Samuel Knight, 
and David Knapp, recording steward. Composing the board of 
trustees are: J. Ilillyer, A. K. Lodge, J. Scott, R. II. Broaddus, 
B. D. Ingram, G. W. Eyre, and J. T. Adcock. The class leaders 
are: C. Case, W. Wilson, and W. Creel. 

Te?mcssee M. E, Church. — The tirst meetings of this denomina- 
tion held in the neighborhood of Tennessee were at the residence 
of James P'nlkerson, near Ilillsgrove, in 1832. This locality is 
known as " Old Methodist Stamping Grounds." These meetings 
were held by missionaries Rev. Carter, Levi Springer and Henry 
Summers. In 1851 a society was organized south of Tennessee, 
at what was called the brick school house. Rev. James Taylor, 
J. P. Brooks, William Smith and J. B. Quinby served as 
preachers. After this the Society, which had heretofore been a 
part of the Macomb work, was transferred to the Blandinsville 
work:, and the following ministers labored there : Rev. Joseph 
Gumming, G. M. Irwin, James Cowden, Rev. Beard, B. E. Kauf- 
man and II. Presson. In 1857 the class at the school house was 
moved to Tennessee, and about the same time the class at Hills- 
grove, also, moved to the same place, both uniting. Rev. B. E. 
Kaufman preaching the first sermon there in school house. From 
this time until the present, Tennessee and Colchester have been 
in the same circuit with the same minister, pastor of both 
churches, of whom are the following : B. B. Kennedy, Rev. 
McKee, J, Fate, John Cavet, Stephen Brink, W. B. Carithers, W. 
B. Frazell, D. S. Main, G. J. Luckey, William Ilaney, J. S. Kirk- 
patrick, B. F. Tallman, T. Pool, A. S. Atherton and T. P. Henry. 
The following are the names of the original members : John 
Jarvis, Mrs.^Jarvis, Garrett Jarvis, William Delay, Absolom Parker, 
Mary Parker, C. L. Davis, Maria Davis, William Clayton, Louisa 
Clayton, L. C. Bacon, Plonor Bacon, Lewis Mourning, Ann 
Mourning and Sarah Lawyer. 



HISTORY OF M'DONOnCH COl'NTV. 545 

The I'linrcb structure Avas erected in 1864, under the supervi- 
sion of John iMcElroj, AVilliam Chiyton and AVilliam Latimer, 
building committee. It is a good frame building, twenty-eight 
feet wide by forty long, and cost !$2,000. Present Class Leader, 
L. F. Carson; the first was Samuel Knott; first Stewards were 
James Jarvis and Thomas Fulkerson ; the present ones are J, 
Bradford, A. K. Owen and Thomas f'ulkerson. 

The Trustees are B. F. Thompson, A. K. Owen, J. Eaton, J. 
Jarvis and J. Jenkins. The first Trustees were John McElroy, 
William Clayton. J. Jarvis, William Lattiraer and Thomas Ful- 
kerson. 

Present membership, 100; average attendance, 150; contribu- 
tion, $175; average attendance in the Sunday School, 55; contri- 
bution, per year, $25. 

Friendship 31. E. Church. — This is one of the oldest religious 
organizations in the county, the society having been organized in 
1833, by Rev. Cord, a missionary. The original members were 
Robert and ^ancy Cook, Mrs. Penny and daughter, Esther Hunt, 
Malinda Hunt, Mr. Justice and wife, John and James Hammer, 
John and Nancy Kirk, John and Margaret Lyon. The following 
are among those serving as pastors : Revs. Cord, Carter, Levi 
Springer, Oliver Hindell, Freeborn Haynie, J. P. Brooks, 
Chauncy Hobart. 

Of late years this appointment has been connected with the 
Blandinsville work, but is at present with the Colchester work. 

Meetings were held first, at the residence of John Hunt, now 
known as the Kirk place, and for many years at the school house, 
which stood near the present site of the church The first camp- 
meeting held in the Military Tract was at Friendship, in 1833. 
People came from Qaincy, Jacksonville, Beardstown, Burlington 
and other points equally distant. The church building is located 
on section 5, Tennessee township. It is a good frame structure, 
thirty feet by forty, and was erected in 1851. The value of church 
property is $1,500. The present membership is thirty-four. The 
present ofiicers are : Trustees, A. Roberts, George Mourning, 
Robert Lyon, John Kirk, Jr., and S. M. Chipman; Steward, A. 
Roberts; Class Leader, S. M. Chipman. Contribution, §130 per 
year ; average attendance of the Sunday School, 35 ; contribu- 
tion $6; Superintendent, William Anderson. 



544 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Pennington Point 31. E. Church. — One of the oldest Methodist 
organizations in the county is the one at Pennington's Point; this 
church being organized in 1835 or 183(5. A few years ago a good 
and commodious church structure was erected upon section 30, 
JSTew Salem township. Its size is 32x56, and it stands upon a two- 
acre lot, the property of the church, and on which is also a good 
frame parsonage. The total value of church property is $3,000. 
The congregation, which is at present in a very prosperous con- 
dition, numbers sixty. The attendance at Sunday-school is seven- 
ty-live. 

Bardolj)h 31. E. Church. — The Pardolph society was organ- 
ized in 1836 at the residence of Joseph Kepple, about a mile 
south of Bardolph, and probably by William H. Jackson, as he 
was a local preacher of the M. E. Church, and one of those sturdy 
pioneers who not only desired to open up the beautiful country 
for settlement, that men might prepare comfortable homes for 
their families and their children's families, but to sow the good 
seed of the Gospel of Christ in the hearts of those who should be 
neighbors ; to make this people a religious and God fearing peo- 
ple, that the rising generations may be reared in the midst of the 
highly elevating influence of the religion he through life held so 
dear. The original members were William 11. Jackson, Ann 
Jackson, Mrs. Jacob Kepple and Mrs. Culp. Meetings were held 
at Mr. Kepple's house for about two years, when they were 
moved to Mr. Jackson's residence, where they were held for sev- 
eral years. 

This society has been in existence since the early settlement of 
the county, as before mentioned, part of the time in connection 
with the Macomb circuit, and a part with the Marietta circuit. It 
struggled for existence and success from the time of its organiza- 
tion until June, 1867, without any house of its own in which to 
worship, being dependent, after leaving Mr. Jackson's residence, 
on the Presbyterians for their church, and upon the school district 
for the school house, as places of worship. At that date the 
Methodist Episcopal and Cumberland Presbyterian congregations 
jointly had completed and dedicated a very neat and commodious 
house of worship. This arrangement aftbrds the society a 
house of their own one-half of the time only, leaving them to work 
at a great disadvantage. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 545 

The pastors since 1867 have been Revs. B. E. Kaufman, D. S. 
Main, A. P. Hull, J. Ferguson, Jacob Mathews and the present 
pastor, Kev. J. E. Taylor, who is now serving his third year here. 
J. E. Ilendrickson and William Bailey class leaders; John Booth, 
Thomas A. Jackson, and J. E. Ilendrickson stewards; John 
Booth, John W. Jackson, and J. E. Ilendrickson trustees. The 
present membership is ninety-eight; the average annual contribu- 
tion is $500. The average attendance of the Sunday-school is 
sixty; the annual contribution $35; J. E. Ilendrickson superin- 
tendent. 

Sticklers M. E. Church — This congregation was organized in 
1845 with twelve members and met in school house near the pres- 
ent church until a church was built. The present edifice was 
erected in 1854 at a cost of $1,700; its size is 30x45 feet; it is lo- 
cated in section 11 Emmet township. It was named in honor of 
Abraham Stickle, deceased, the prime mover in organizing the 
society. The membership is forty-five; the attendance at Sun- 
day-school is about fifty. George Stickle and Abraham B. Stickle 
are the trustees. 

BiandinsvUle M.E. Church. — This church was organized by Rev. 
Barton Cartwright, then in charge of the Macomb circuit, about 
the year 1848. Previous to this time the few Methodists living 
in the town worshipped at the church in Hays' settlement, but 
therfe being enough to form an organization, it was thought advisa- 
ble to do so. E. R. Jones was the first class leader. The following 
were in the original organization : E. R. Jones and wife, A. P. 

Hopper and wife, and Freeland. The} have a good house 

of worship, valued at $3,000, and a parsonage worth $1,000. 

Mock Creek M. E. Church. — In 1850, this congregation was or- 
ganized, with twenty-two members who met in school houses until 
1875, when the present well finished church house was erected. 
It stands on the southwest quarter of section sevetiteen. Hire 
township and cost $2,000. It is thirty by forty-six feet. The mem- 
bership is fifty-three. The trustees are : Isaac Oakman, S. K. 
Patrick, Mrs. Harriett Pedrick, Mrs. Katherine Ilainline, Solo- 
mon Ilainline, Mrs. Susan Hainline, and Mrs. Margaret Ilainline. 
Isaac Oakman, class leader; William Anderson, Steward ; S. 
K. Pedrick, superintendent of Sunday school. Average attend- 
ance twentv. 



546 HLSTORV OK M'ooNOLKiH COUNTY. 

Maple Groi'c M. E. Churdi. — The building is located on section 
nineteen of Emmet township, and was erected in 1865, at a cost 
of ^2,500, Size twenty-six by fifty. The society was organized 
and held regular meetings in groves, and in school houses fifteen 
years previous. The present membership is forty-five. James 
Griffith, G. G. Guy, B. F. Guy, and Eli Murray, are the trustees; 
J. C. Guy, class leader; 1). T. Guy, Steward. The membership 
of the Sunday school is forty. Eli Murray, superintendent. 

Mound Chapel M. E. Church. — This church was organized at 
the residence of E. Dyer in 1854, with eight or ten members. 
The church building is located on section 22 of Mound town- 
ship; it was erected in 1868 at a cost of $3,200; is a good frame 
building, 35x55 in size; the location and grounds are beautiful. 
The present membership is sixty. John Ilalmes, class-leader; 
Joseph Melvin, steward. The trustees are J. Holmes, J. Gardner, 
Edward Mitchell, J, Melvin, Amos Ilippskey, Ross Manl}'-, J. 
Manly, Cyrus Head, A, Fleming, John Sheely, and William An. 
<lerson; Isaac Sheely superintendent of the Sunday-school. 

Pleasant Grove 31. E. Church. — The church building of this 
congregation is located on section 26, Industry township, and was 
built in 1857 at a cost of $1,200; it is 36x40 feet; the membership 
is about eighteen. John Bennett is both steward and class-leader; 
Marion Skiles superintendent of the Sunday-school, of which the 
average attendance is twenty-five. The trustees are Joseph Mc- 
Clean, Marticia Springer, George Bennett, and George Meadows. 

Liberty 31. E. Church. — The church structure of this congrega- 
tion stands upon the southeast corner of section 13, Blandinsville 
township, and is one of the best church buildings outside of the 
towns in the county. It is worth $2,500. 

Prairie City 31. E. Church. — The following facts in reference to 
the M. E. Church in Prairie City are collected from the memory 
of some of its oldest members. As the fathers of the church failed 
to transmit a written history, this is our only source of informa- 
tion. While perfect accuracy in all the details are in the nature 
of the case impossible, yet the following may be relied upon as 
substantially correct. 

The Methodist preachers who assisted in laying the foundation 
of Methodism in Prairie City and vicinity were Revs. James 
Ilaney, R. Berryman, Richard Ilaney, William Haney, Benjamin 
Applebeo, John Morey, Amos Morey, A. E. Phelps, Thomas 



HISTORY OF M'dONOLUJH COUNTY. 547 

Kirkpatrick and C. Ilobart, preaching occasionally at the houses 
of John Griffin and Thomas Brinks. After a school house was 
erected in Prairie City, it was used for holding meetings in, and 
until the building of their church. The names of the original 
members, as near as can be ascertained, were Thomas Brinks and 
wife, J. (iriffin and wife, Vincent Goldsmith, David Griffin and 
wife, E. Sandtord and wife, M. T. Hand and wife, R. C. Benedict 
and wife, Elijah Tloyt and wife, John Mann and wife, J. White 
and wife, E. G. Tally and wife, L. I. Washburn and wife, and A. 
Burr and wife. 

The present church edifice was erected at a cost of about $3,500. 
It was dedicated in 1858. The pastors who have served the church 
in their order are as follows : A. Fisher, M. T. Havermale, William 
Watson, M. C. Lewis, J. B. Craig, William Underwood, A. Mc- 
Cool, J. C. llybolt, A. Bowers, W. J. Peck, M. D. Heckard, D. S. 
Main, A. Magee and A. S. Atherton, The parsonage was erected 
in 1864. It is a good frame residence, costing about $500. The 
financial ability of the church is not so good as formerly, many of 
its noteworthy members having removed. 

Its present officers are as follows: Pastor, A. !S. Atherton ; 
Stewards, A. Burr, A. Mead, S. Davey, R. C. Benedict and W. 
F. Taylor; Class Leaders, A. Mead, A. G. Ivreider and J. T. Mor- 
gan ; Trustees, A. Burr, A. Mead, R. C. Benedict, S. Davey and 
J. T. Morgan. S. Davej^ Superintendent of Sunday school. The 
attendance is from eighty-five to one hundred. 

Industry 31. E. Church. — The first class was organized by Rev. 
E. Montgomery in 1855, with the following members: John Reed 
and wife, Henry Robely and wife, M. Merrick and wife, old Mrs. 
Vance, Fanny Bridges, and Polly Shannon. The growth of the 
society has been moderate, and at present the membership num- 
bers sixty. The church edifice was erected in 1866, and dedicated 
by Rev. Reuben Andrews, of Quincy; value of building $2,000; 
parsonage at Pennington's Point; salary of pastor for part of his 
time $200; Rev. J. Budd pastor; attendance in Sunday-school sixty; 
annual collection $50. 

Colchester 31. E. Church. — This church organized February 1, 
1858, by Rev. II. Bresson, and B. E. Kaufman, with the follow- 
ing 21 members : Joseph Taylor, Mary Taylor, Abraham Pearson, 
Elizabeth Pearson, Richard Musson, Rebecca Musson, James 
Roberts, Cecilia Roberts, A. B. Doan, Sarah Doan, Mary Bechtel, 



548 HISTORY OF m'donough county. 

Margaret Mussou, John Pearson, Abraham Newland^ Jr., Thomas 
Pearson, William Cowan, David Sherbine, Mary A. Sherbiue, 
Sarah ]C. Biell, Philip Lawrence, and John Level. Meetings were 
held in school house until 1861, when a good brick structure was 
erected at a cost of $1,200, its size is thirty-two by forty-six feet. 
The following are the names of the various pastors : Rev. IL Pres- 
son, B. E. Kaufman, B. B. Kenuedy, McKee J. Tate, J. Cavet, 
Stephen Brink, W. B. Carithers, W. B. Frazzell,'!). S. Main, G.J. 
Lucky, AVilliam Ilany, L. Kirkpatrick, B. F. Tallman, T. Pool, 
A. S. Athertou, and T. P. Henry. The trustees are : James Rob- 
erts, John Pearson, Abraham Xewland, Jr., liichard Williams, 
and James Underbill, Stewards are : William Ilulson, and David 
lleece. Class leaders : Pichard Musson, John Pearson, and John 
James. Local ministers are: John James, and John Parnell. 

The average annual contributions for all purposes is $650. The 
growth of the church was for many years very great, but of late 
has decreased in numbers on account of so many removals and 
numerous deaths; but still they are prosperous, and have a 
good active membership. The value of church property is $2,000. 
The average attendance in Sunday School is 150, with an annual 
contribution of $100 ; Abraham Kewland, Jr., Superintendent. 

Mound 31. E. Church — The church building is located on the 
northwest corner of section 6, Prairie City township, and was 
erected in 1858 at a cost of $1,400; size o2x48; the present mem- 
bership is sixty-five. The trustees are Thomas King, D. Craw- 
ford, Leonard Hall, William McMahill, and T, J, Breiner. A 
parsonage, belonging to the congregation, stands just east of the 
church. 

Linn Grove Chapel 31. E. Church. — The church house stands on 
the northeast corner of section 24, Walnut Grove township, and 
was erected in 1870 at an outlay of $2,400. It is a good frame 
building, 32 feet wide by 48 feet long. The society was organized 
in 1861 with twelve members; the membership at present is thirty. 
A. J. Tiger, class-leader; William Pugh, steward; William Pugh, 
Mary J. George, A. J. Tiger, E. Chidester, David Chidester, S. 
Sandridge are the trustees; A. J. Tiger, superintendent of school; 
the average attendance is fift}'. 

Willow Grove 31 E Church. — This society has been organized 
for many years, and for some time met in Prosperity Hall, Emmet 
township. This congregation now occupies Willow Grove United 



HISTORY OF iM'dONOUGH COUNTY. 549 

Bret^j'on Church on section 1 of Hire township, meeting every 
alternate Sunday. The membership at present is thirty, and the 
contribution per year $250. At present Rev. G. B. Snedaker and 
W. B. Alexander are pastors. ^Mrs. Emily Wilson, steward; S. B. 
Davis, class-leader. Sunday-school in union with the United 
Brethren, with an average attendance of twenty-live. 

New Hope M. E. Church. — The organization of this church was 
eft'ected in 18G6, and in the following year the present church 
structure was erected. It is a good frame, thirty-two by forty-five 
feet, and cost $1,600. The membership at that time was near sev- 
enty, at present but forty. Rev. James McElroy was the first pas- 
tor, the present is Rev. T. Head. The annual contribution is about 
$700. The Trustees are James C. Archer, George Barclay, James 
Depoy, and J. K. ^iN". Ilorrell. Thomas Han thorn is Class Leader 
and Superintendent of Sunday School, which has an average at- 
tendance of fifty-eight; contribution, $4.00 per quarter. The 
building is on the northeast quarter of section lour, Bethel town- 
ship. In this neighborhood, about forty years ago. Bethel M. E. 
Church w^as organized, and about the year 1845, a building was 
erected on the southeast quarter of section seven. Tliis house was 
burned in 1863, being set on fire by an incendiary. 

Centennial 31. E. Church. — The church edifice is located on the 
northwest quarter of section thirty-six, Xew Salem township, and 
was erected in 1871 at a cost of $1,850. It is thirty by forty feet, 
and a good, substantial, frame building. It Avas dedicated July 2, 
1876, Rev, AVilliam Rutledge preaching the sermon. The congre- 
gation was organized in 1871 by the Rev. C. Atherton. Met for 
five years in school house. Solomon Ritter Class Leader; Robert 
Jeftrey Steward. The following have officiated as pastors : Rev. 
C. Atherton, T. J. Pearson, T. M. Durham, F. R. Boggess and J. 
S, Budd. Joseph Porter is the Superintendent of the Sunda}' 
School. 

Greenwood 31. E. Church. — Previous to the erection of a church 
building, the class had met in the various school houses in the 
neighborhood for several years, but was finally disbanded. In 
August, 1873, the class was reorganized, then numbering eight 
members; at present they have forty-eight. They proceeded to 
build, and on Sunday, Dec. 19, 1875, they dedicated their church 
edifice ; the sermon w^as preached by President Evans, of Iledding. 
It is situated on section two, Macomb township; it is 36x46, and 
H — 35 



550 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

cost $2,000. The following have served as pastors : Rev. Fergu- 
son J. Mathews, Kev. Taylor. The Trustees are : David Chide<i- 
ter, H. H. McElvain, Abraham Switzer, L. II. Shriner, A. C. 
Ford, J. Bricker and Geo. Beaver; Class Leader, A. Switzer; 
H. H. McElvain, Steward. Average attendance in Sunday 
School, one hundred. 

Adair 31. E. Church. — This society was organized in 1875, and 
the same year the present church structure was erected and dedi- 
cated in October. It was built by general contribution, of all de- 
nominations, at a cost of $2,000. It is a good, neat, frame edifice. 
The original members were Washington Williams, Lafayette 
Williams, Jacob Ready, Mrs. Wm. Lance, Josephine Porter and 
Martha Epperson. The present membership is ten. Rev. J. E. 
Taylor the first and present pastor. Trustees: W. Williams, L. 
Williams, J. Ready, Stephen Blackston, and Thornton Randolph; 
Steward, Jacob Ready ; Class Leader, L. Williams. Annual con- 
tribution, $350. Joseph E. Porter, Superintendent of Sabbath 
School, Average attendance, forty. 

Second Church, Macomb, (colored) — This society was organized 
in September, 1876, by Rev. Jacob, of Galesburg, with the follow- 
ing members: Alexander Garner, Mrs. Shoots, Miss Rachel An- 
derson, Miss Walker and Milton Daniels. For some time meet- 
ings were held in the old Baptist Church on Korth Lafayette 
street, but now a hall on the south side of the square is used for 
worship. The present membership is about fifteen. M. Daniels, 
Steward ; Allen Cooper, Class Leader. An average attendance 
in Sunday School of twenty. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 551 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 

RELIGIOU S — C ONTINUED. 
PRESBYTERIANS. 

This eminently respectable body of Evangelical Christians was 
the third to establish its cause in this county. 

A sufficient number of former members of this body having 
settled in the neighborhood of Macomb in the early part of the 
year 1832, it was determined to effect an organization, and the 
Rev. William J. Frazer, of Morgan county, was invited here for 
that purpose. On the ninth of June, in that year, he organized 
the first Presbyterian Church in the county, in the old log court 
house, situated near the northeast corner of the square, on the 
site of the present Union National Bank. Mr. Frazer continued 
to labor for the congregation for some years, preaching frequently 
in various parts of the county. His death occurred in 1875, in 
Peoria county, Illinois. 

Although not an aggressive body, the Presbyterians in this 
county have continued steadily to increase in numbers and influ- 
ence until the}'^ now number eight hundred and ninety communi- 
cants, and have organizations in nearly every town, and sev- 
eral large ones in the country. Among the most prominent min- 
isters who have served as pastors and "supplies," we recall the 
names of Revs. William K. Stewart, James Chase, Ralph Harris, 
I. Pillsbury, Joseph Warren, D. D., and J. II. Nesoitt. Mr. 
Stewart was among the pioneer preachers of the county, and did 
much to here establish the cause. In this work he was ably 
assisted by Rev. James Chase, a well known and well educated 
minister of the denomination. 

In the order of their organization we append sketches of each 
congregation in the county, beginning with Macomb. For the 



552 HISTORY OF iM'DONOUGII COUNTY. 

information contained in this sketcli wo are indebted to liev, 
Josiali Moore, now the efficient pastor of the church at Macomb. 

Macomb. — The PresbyteriaTi Church of Macomb was the first 
of this body, and Avas organized June 9, 1832, two years 
after the county seat was located at Macomb, then a wihl prairie. 

As evidence that the hardships of the wilderness did not bleach 
the "true blue" Presbyterians, it is said that Rev. Romulus Barnes, 
then presiding at Lewistown, proposed to assist in the organiza- 
tion, but some objected because they feared he was not sound in 
the faith; and so they sent to Morgan county for Rev. William J. 
Frazer. Here, no doubt, is the first step Avhich resulted afterward 
in the church becoming Old School. 

The organization took place in the old log court house that 
stood near the northeast corner of the square. The following are 
the names of the original members, five men and nine women : 
Thomas Grant and Jane, his wife ; Alex Harris and Margaret, his 
wife; Alex. Campbell and wife ; John Harris and Jane, his wife, 
afterwards Provine, and noAV the Avidow of the late John Clark ; 
Mrs. Patsey Kaylor, Thomas Pickett, Elizabeth ^M. Anderson, 
Miss Ruth Wilson, Miss Jane Campbell and Miss Mahala Camp- 
bell, afterward Mrs. Quintus Walker. The Elders chosen Avere: 
Alex, and John Harris, Thomas Grant and Alex. Campbell. This 
church at first included the fields noAv occupied by the prosperous 
churches of Camp Creek, Bardolph, Ebenezer and Good Hope, 
all of Avhich are from six to eight miles distant. 

SerA^iees Avere held in the log court house until 1834, Avhen the 
first brick court house was erected in the center of the square. 
This Avas used until a church building Avas erected, Avhich Avas in 
1835, or 1836, and on the site of the present edifice, E. Car- 
roll street. This Avas a brick building, Avhich in a few years had 
become so small that it was removed and a frame building erected, 
Avhich was first occupied January 10, 1853, at three o'clock P. M. 
In 1867, this house was enlarged and remodelled at a cost of $700, 
and in 1870 the entire structure was rebuilt and enlarged to its 
l)resent dimensions, at a cost of $4,458. The building is a frame, 
built in Gothic style, Avith two spires, one on either of the front 
corners ; it is entered by a vestibule, in the center of the front end. 
A very good bell, weighing nine hundred pounds, hangs in the 
main spire, which rises from the southwest corner. The audience 
room is neat and commodious, aa^cII furnished and tastefully fres- 



HISTORY OF m'uONOUGH COUNTY. 553 

coed, and is capable of seating about four hundred persons. The 
vahie of the church structure is $8,000, and the value of the par- 
sonage, which is located on East Jackson street, about $1,600. 

For want of documents we can only give statistics since 
1865, or for about one-fourth of the church's existence. The 
membership in 1866 was 200. Since, 175 have united on pro- 
fession and 120 by certificate. Removals and deaths leave the pres- 
ent membership 300. Adults baptized, 41 ; infants, 80. Contri- 
butions as follows : Home missions, $746 ; foreign missions, $715 ; 
educating ministers, $526 ; publishing and colporter work, $185 ; 
building churches, $370 ; disabled ministers and their families, 
•$180; Freedman's mission, $82 ; sustaining permanent pastorates, 
^54; commissions to Assembly, $163. Congregational work — pas- 
tor's salary, sexton, repairs, etc., $20,052, Miscellaneous — Ameri- 
can Bible society. Sabbath School union, public charities, etc., 
^1,629. Total, $24,703, or an average of $2,245.73 per year. The 
membership of the Sabbath School is 250. J. H. Cummings 
tSuperintendent. About a year after the organization. Rev. 
"W. J. Frazer became stated supply for this and other points 
in the county until 1836, when Rev. William K. Stewart, of Van- 
dalia, lUinos, was called as pastor. Mr. Frazer, and some of the 
people not satisfied with this move, attempted to get up a rival 
organization, but after a year or so, the effort failed. 

Mr. Stewart remained as pastor until his death, which occurred 
on the nineteenth day of April, 1852; aged fifty-two years. He 
w^as a man of noble worth ; an able minister of the gospel; a de- 
vout Christian, and a valuable citizen. During the last year or 
two of Mr. Stewart's ministry, and owing to failing health, he 
was assisted by Rev. Ralph Harris, a professor in McDonough 
college, who, after the death of Mr. Stewart, became stated sup- 
ply, and September 17, 1853, was elected pastor, at a salary of 
^500 per year. He resigned the pastorate January 20, 1855. 
Rev. Ithamar Pillsbury, l*resident of McDonough College, was 
elected stated supply March 7, 1855, and February 23, 1856, he 
was elected pastor, at a salary of $700 a year. April 10, 1859, 
he resigned the pastorate, but acceeded to the request of the Ses- 
sion May 2, to remain as stated supply till the election of a suc- 
cessor, which took place January 25, 1860, when Robert F. Tay- 
lor was elected as stated supply for one year. 

Mr. Pillsbury returned to Andover, Illinois, the first field of 
his labors in the west, where, after a short illness, and on the 



554 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

twentieth day of April, 1862, he died, being in the sixty-eighth 
year of his age. 

Time would fail to tell the eminent services of this devoted sol- 
dier of the cross. lie was intrusted with many important respon- 
sibilities ; he took the lead and bore the burden in the establish- 
ment of the colony of which Andover is the commercial center, 
and in every enterprise he acquitted himself as worthy of the 
most sacred trust; but as a Minister of the Gospel, in unfurling 
the banner of truth in these, then western wilds, he had no supe- 
rior. His ministrations in Macomb were sealed with the richest 
tokens of divine favor. 

Mr. Taylor, failing in health, resigned before the close of the 
year. In 1862 he went as Chaplain of the Seventy-eighth Illinois 
Infantry. In January, 1861, Rev. Joseph Warren, D. D., was 
elected stated supply on a salary of $800. Mr. "Warren had re- 
turned from the Foreign Mission work in India. Rev. John II. 
Woods was^engaged as stated supply November 5, 1862. October 
29, 1863, Mr. Nesbitt was chosen stated supply. He commenced 
his labors about the tirst of February, 1864, but was soon elected 
pastor at a salary of $800, and installed May 28th. April 11th, 
1868, his salary was fixed at $1,000 per year and a parsonage. 

Rev. Peter Hathaway K. McComb, of Bloomtield, Penn., was 
chosen pastor February 28, 1870. Salary, $1,000. He resigned 
May 11, 1873, and on the eighteenth of May, Dr. J. Jamieson, by 
the direction of the Presbytery, preached and declared the pulpit 
vacant. June 1, 8 and 15, 1873, Rev. J. Moore, of Canton, Illi- 
nois, the present pastor, occupied the pulpit for the first time. 
June 16 he was chosen stated supply, and October 2, 1874, was 
chosen pastor. Salary $1,000 and use of parsonage. October 1, 
1875, the congregation adopted the "Term Eldership," and the 
session is as follows : Pastor, J. Moore ; Elders, A. Blackburn, 
W. E. Withrow, Dr. Y. McDavitt, William Hunter, J. II. Cum- 
mings and II. L. Ross; Deacons, J. II. Cummings, William Hun- 
ter, 0. F. Piper, Dr. B. I. Dunn, H. R. Bartleson'and R. L. Coch- 
rane ; Trustees (elected for five years), J. H. Cummings, John 
McElrath and O. F. Piper. 

Camp Creek. — This Church is located on section twenty-seven 
of Scotland township. The society was organized by Rev. W. K. 
Stewart and Rev. Samuel Wilson, on the twenty-fifth day of 
May, 1839, in Joseph McCrosky's barn, on Camp Creek. There 



HISTORY OF M DONOUGH COUNTY. 55o 

were thirty original members. The membership at present is 
ninety-nine. 

The first services held by the Presbyterians were in 1832, and 
were held in school houses, log cabins, barns, or in the oj)eu air. 
In 1843 Rev. J. M. Iloge was called as the Urst pastor. During 
this year Sanders W. Campbell, John C. Clark and Alexander 
Provine were elected the lirst Ruling Elders, and also a Church 
building 30x35 feet was erected on ground given by Joseph Mc- 
Crosky. 

Jn 1857 the Church resolved to elect Deacons instead of Trus- 
te3s. Robert McISTair, Alexander McLay and James C. Watson 
were elected to that office, since which time the following named 
f-entlemeu have served in that capacity : James Watson, A. 
talker, James Walker, William McMullan, J. A. Provine, Dun- 
can McMillan, Grier McGoughy, Jonas Ringer, Joseph Simpson, 
Thomas Watson, T. J. Walker and James Bennie. In 1857 
% parsonage was built at a cost of $1,200. In 1861 the present 
Church structure was erected at a cost of $1,800. Its size is 36x 
48 feet. The old house was sold for $40. 

The following gentlemen have served as Elders since 1852: 
David R. Morris, George W. Provine, Cyrus Walker, J. Sullivan, 
Alexander McMullen, Robert McNair, William McMillan, John 
Barclay and Joseph Simpson. 

The following ministers have supplied the pulpit : J. M. Iloge, 
James Chase, William K. Stewart, William F. Ferguson, J. C. 
King, James Cameron, John Steel, C.Leavenworth, Joseph Piatt, 
J. G. Bliss, John Giffin, W. II. Goodeson, P. AV. Thompson and 
J. G. Condit, the present occupant. 

Shiloh. — Shiloh Presbyterian Church was organized at the resi- 
dence of Alexander Campbell, on section sixteen of Walnut 
Grove township, in 1839, and by Rev. James Chase, with twenty- 
three members. For several years meetings were held alternately 
at the residences of J. G. Walker and Alexander Campbell. In 
1852 a large school house, twenty-two by thirty-two, was erected 
on section eight of Walnut Grove township, which has since been 
used for church purposes. When the township was redistricted 
into school districts, two miles square, the congregation purchased 
the building. The reason given for no church building ever being 
erected is, that the membership was so scattered that no point 



•556 HISTORY OK M'DONOlUiH COUNTY. 

convenient for all could be selected. Members were living in 
Macomb township, as far north as the county line, and east and 
west several miles. At one time the church was prosperous and 
had a large and interested membership, but when towns sprang 
up here and there in the surrounding country and new congrega- 
tions organized, the members residing near of course left Shiloh 
and united with the new church nearer home. When the J3ushnell 
Church was organized, the members living east and near the toivn 
united there ; when Bardolph was started those living south bft 
Shiloh and united there ; and when Good Hope Church "^ras 
organized but few remained in Shiloh Church, the present mem- 
bership being but eight or ten. The building is worth about $250. 
The tirst elders were Alexander Harris, J. G. Walker and Alex- 
ander Campbell. The first preachers were James Chase, Isaac B 
Moore, David Monfort, P. W. Thompson and Joseph Piatt 
Present officers are Quintus Walker and Robert Pollock. Sundaj 
school attendance about thirty-live. 

Prairie CU>/. — This church was organized September 19, 1841, 
with the following twelve members : George Kreider, B-arbara 
Kreider, Celinda Woods, James Jackson, Phebe Woods, James 
Reed, Samuel Mourning, Katharine Mourning, Thomas Boyd, 
Eleanor Boyd, Mary Moore and Sophronia Schofield. George 
Kreider was chosen Elder, and Samuel Mourning Deacon. The_ 
congregation met for several years at the residence of George 
Kreider, five miles northeast of Prairie City, and was known as 
the Pleasant Prairie Church. Rev. William Frazer and Robert 
Dobbins preached occasionally for ten years. The church was 
reorganized October 25, 1851, when Peter Bennett and J. D, Bel- 
ville were chosen Elders. In 1854, P. W. Thompson was chosen 
the first stated supply. The following year subscription to the 
amount of $1,115, was raised toward building a church at Yirgil, 
to where the church was moved this year, holding meetings in a 
school house about three and a half miles east of Prairie Cit3^ In 
1856, Rev. P. W. Thompson was installed as pastor, he being the 
first regular pastor the congregation ever employed. At this time 
the new town of Prairie City was attracting great attention, and 
it was thought best to move the church there, which w^as accord- 
ingly done, and a good frame church building erected and dedi- 
cated November 13, 1856. The cost of this building was about 
$2,800, and its size about forty feet square. In 1868 it was repaired 



HISTORY OK M DONOUGII COUNTY. OO/ 



and enlarged at a cost of $1,500, and now the congregation 
have a neat church edifice, forty feet wide by sixty long, with a 
seating capacity of two hundred and fifty. A finely proportioned 
spire rises from the center of the front, and contains a four hun- 
dred and forty-three pound bell. Its present value is $3,000. It 
stands on the corner of Clay and Columbia streets. The present 
membership is one hundred and seventeen. The average annual 
contribution, $900. 

The following have served as pastors: Revs. P. W. Thompson, 
John S. Robertson and John D.Iiowey. The present officers are: 
Elders, M. Lichtenthaler, M. K. Sweeney and J. II. Wilson. 
Deacons, Thomas Campbell and John E. Dunham. Trustees, 
Thomas Wilson, Thomas Leard and II. W. Ivreider. 

Doddsville. — We are indebted to Henry Black, Esq., for the 
following interesting sketch of the church at Doddsville : 

By request, Schuyler Presbytery appointed Rev. William Iv. 
Stewart, James M. Chase and Elder Briscoe, a committee to visit 
Doddsville^ and if the way was clear, to organize a church. Ac- 
cordingly, these brethren visited Doddsville, held services in the 
house of Andrew Walker, in said village, on the twenty-ninth 
day of July, 1843, and proceeded to organize a church ot seven- 
teen members. The names of the original members are as fol- 
lows : Andrew Walker, Ann Walker, his wife, Charles W. 
Walker, Rachel Walker, John M. Clark and Mirah Clark, his 
wife, Margaret Ilodge, Rebecca Clugston, Isabella Clugston, Jane 
Clugston, Ilettie McCoy, John Scott and Rachel Scott, his wife, 
Sarah Black, Maria Black, Thomas Shannon and Elizabeth Shan- 
non, his wife. Andrew Walker was elected Ruling Elder. The 
next day, Sabbath, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was ad- 
ministered, and the church established. Of the original members, 
eleven were from near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, four from near 
Urbana, Ohio, and two from Virginia. Five are still living, viz.: 
Charles W. Walker, Margaret Iloge, Jane Clugston and Maria 
Beaver, formally Black. The first four still belong to the church 
at Doddsville, having been members a period of over thirty-three 
years. The last named is a member of the Presbyterian Church 
at Plymouth, Illinois. On the seventeenth of September, about 
seven weeks after the organization, Andrew Walker, elder, was 
called to his long rest. The following named ministers have 
served as supplies to the church : Revs. John Hoge, James M. 
Chase, John Marshall, Cyrus B. Bristow, Joseph li. Marshall, 



558 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

James T. Bliss, Geo. A. Hutchison, Henry C. Mullen, I'reston W. 
Thompson, and now, the Rev. 11. C. Mullens. The Rev. Mr. 
Davis, a missionary of the ^e\v School hranch of the church, 
also preached a short time. These were all stated supplies ex- 
cept Rev. Joseph H. Marshall, who was a regularly installed pas- 
tor. Of these ministers all are now living, as far as w^e know, ex- 
cept the Rev. James M. Chase, and John Marshall. The following 
persons were elected and served in the eldership : Andrew Walker, 
John M. Clark, John G. McGoughy, David R. Ilindman, James 
McDavett, Elijah Ilindman, John McMillan, IlughL. McGoughy, 
Thomas Conner, Thomas McCoy, Henry Black, William Pol- 
lock and John Colleasure. Five of those serving have departed 
this life, namely : Andrew Walker, John M. Clark, Hugh ¥. 
McGoughy, Elijah Ilindman and John Colleasure. James Col- 
leasure was elected, and would have accepted, but died before or- 
dination. The following named persons were elected and served 
as Deacons of the Church : George Bair, William II. Black, 
Samuel C. Iloge, John H. McGrath and James Colleasure, all 
living except John Colleasure. George Bair, Samuel C. Iloge, 
John H. McGrath and William S. McLain, constitute the present 
Board of Trustees. The old church just vacated was built in 
1851, as far as inclosing was concerned, when it was taken poses- 
sion of, but was not completed until the summer of 1855, four years 
after, consequently it was never dedicated a house of worship. It 
cost about 1900. The first revival was in February and March 
of 1858, under the ministry of Rev. John Marshall, when twenty- 
eight members were received — twenty-two on profession and six 
on certificate. The second was under the ministry of the Rev. 
James T. Bliss in January, 1867, when eleven members were re- 
ceived — nine on profession and two on certificates. The third 
was under the ministry of Rev. George A. Hutchinson, Decem- 
ber, 1887, when eleven members were received on examination. 
The fourth was under the ministry of the Rev. II. C. Mullens, in 
union with the Rev. Mr. Garner, of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, when six members were received on profession of their 
faith. This was in March, 1873. The fifth was in October, 1874. 
The meeting; was under the direction of the Rev. Keil Johnston, 
an Evangelist, when God was pleased to pour out his spirit most 
copiously, thirty-five being received to membership on the profes- 
sion of their faith in Christ. The church was organized with 
eevcnteen orio-inal members. At the close of the Rev. John 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 559 

Marshall's ministry, the number was seventy ; run down 
again by deaths and removals until only forty-six actual 
members remained. After the revival of 1874 there were 
reported eighty members to the Presbytery, which was 
the highest number the Church ever attained — seventy 
being the present miembership. As near as can be ascertained, 
about two hundred is the full number of memberships ever be- 
longing to the Church since the organization. Thirty-three 
years have come and gone since the organization of the Church, 
and one quarter of a century has passed since worship was lirst 
held in the old church building. Many who were then with us 
have passed away, and, we trust, have entered into their rest. 
Within its sacred walls songs of praise were heard, earnest prayer 
and supplication was offered, the gospel most faithfully preached 
by many of God's ministering servants, the Sabbath School 
teacher sowing the good seed of the word, and sinners inquiring 
"What must we do to be saved?" and as God said that he would 
not let bis mercy depart from Solomon, neither did he let it de- 
part from us. For all of which we would give thanks to the 
great head of the Church ; and, as we enter and take possession 
of our new and better edifice, yet, in looking back, our memories 
would still linger with affection around the old Church building 
as we say farewell. 

Bushneli. — At an early date (probably 1856) a Presbyterian 
Church was organized in Bushneli, in connection with the Presby- 
tery of Schuyler, but in two or three .years was dissolved, the 
members generally uniting with the Reformed Church. At the 
spring meeting of the Presbytery of Warren, held at Monmouth, 
111., in 1868, a petition was presented asking for the organization 
of a Presbyterian Church in Bushneli. This petition was signed 
by about thirty persons, the greater number of whom were mem- 
bers of the Keformed Church. The committee appointed by this 
Presbytery, after visiting the field, decided to organize a church, 
which was done April 25, 1868. Twenty-one persons presented a 
certificate, in a body, from the Eeformed Church of Bushneli, and 
seven from other Presbyterian churches, or a total of twenty-fivo 
members, which were the following: John W. Adams, Mrs. Min- 
erva F.Adams, Robert A. Adams, Mrs. Caroline Adams, Mrs. Car- 
rie Anderson, Daniel II. Bodine, Mrs. Harriet S. Bodiue, Mrs. Maria 
C. Hessler, A. H. McGahan, Mrs. Alice W. McGahan, Mrs. Eliza 
A. McGahan, Mrs. Lydia Moore, Joseph Neff, Mrs. Mary ISTeff, 



560 HisTORV OF m'donouoh county. 

Mrs. Jeimie Odell, Robert Ilea, Mrs. Hannah Rea, Frank Sample, 
R. M. Scott, Mrs. A. K. 8cott, Mrs. E. A. Seiber, Mrs. Elizabeth 
J. Sperry, William Tiedrick, Mrs. Caroline Tiedriek, Henry S. 
Wells and Mrs. Francis Wells. The total membership April 1, 
1876, was 110. In eight years sixty-seven members were received 
"on profession" of faith, sixty-eight "by letter" from other 
churches, forty were dismissed to other <;hurches, and twelve died. 
The pulpit was occasionally supplied with preachers the first year 
until August, when Rev. R. T. McMahan became stated supply, re- 
maining with the congregation two years. April 1, 1871, Rev. 
M. Bigger, of Hamilton, 111., took charge of the church as stated 
supply. In May, 1872, he was installed as pastor, in which rela- 
tion he continued until hie sudden death, by heart disease, Decem- 
ber 21, 1872. The present pastor, Rev. T. Stephenson, commenced 
his labors for this church, April, 1873. During the first eight years 
the church had contributed for congregational purposes between 
^15,000 and $16,000. The church property cost in the neighbor- 
hood of $7,000, and is generally regarded as the neatest church in 
Bushnell; it was erected under the superinteudency of F. A. Cooley- 
The plastering was done by Shafer & Kuhn ; the painting by 
Adams, Barrett & Travis; the frescoing by Jevin & Almini, of 
Chicago, and the stained glass windows by Geo. A. Misch & Bro. 
of the same city. The Board of Ruling Elders, usually denomi- 
nated the "Session," elected at the organization of the church 
was composed of the following persons ; Robert A. Adams, Rob- 
ert Rea, Robert M. Scott and A. II. McGahan ; the latter was 
chosen clerk. The present session is composed of R. A. Adams, 
Wm. A. Pasey, J. C. Cadwalader, R. W. Wheeler and A. H. Mc- 
Gahan. The church retains the lite service plan of the eldership 
adding to the session from time to time, as deemed necessary. On 
the eighteenth of May, 1873, the following persons were elected 
Deacons : R. W. Wheeler, D. A. McDonald, William Tiedrick 
and F. M. Duel. Mr. Wheeler was afterwards released from serv- 
ing as deacon, on his election to the eldership, andR. W. Fowler 
was added. The first Board of Trustees consisted of R. M. Scott, 
Joseph Xefi' and A. II. Mc(Jahan. This board was re-elected in 
1871, and in 187G the following Trustees were elected: John C. 
Cadwalader, D. A. McDonald and A. II. McGahan. The Sabbath 
school was organized soon after the dedication of the church 
building, which was in 1869. A. II. McGahan was chosen super- 
intendent, and has been re-elected each year since. The school 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 561 

lias a library of over three hundred volumes; Harvey J. Wells, 
Librarian. The actual expense for conducting the school has 
varied from fifty to one hundred dollars per year. 

Good Hope. — At the fall meeting, in 18G8, of the Presbytery of 
AVarren, a committee was appointed, consisting of Rev. R. C. 
Mathews, D. ]>., Rev. R.T. McMahan, and Ruling Elder, M. Lich- 
enthale, to visit Good Hope and organize a church, if the way 
be clear. Accordingl}', said committee, except the elder, met at 
(Jood Hope, January 30th, 1809, and after a sermon by Rev. 
McMahan, the chairman stated the object of the meeting. After 
consultation the committee proceeded to organize the church. 
There were received as follows, from the Shiloh Presbyterian 
Church : James A. McClelland, Mary C. McClelland, Warren S. 
Bruce, James M. Hummer, Helen Ann Hummer, David Campbell, 
Mrs. Winniford Campbell, Ebenezer Campbell and Mrs. E. Duel. 
From the church at Macomb were the following : Joseph Rollins, 
Mrs. Harriet Rollins, Mrs. Jane M. I'ainter, Miss I. Ella Rollins, 
Aaron Bennett and Mrs. Rosella Bennett. From the ('umberland 
Presbyterian Church at Walnut Grove : Mrs. Rebecca Brawdy, 
Miss Catherine Brawdy and Mrs. Matilda Morris. J. A. McClel- 
land and Aaron Bennett were elected Ruling Elders, Joseph Rol- 
lins and J. M. Hummer, Deacons ;F. Cruzer, Clerk and Treasurer, 
in the fall of 1869 he was elected Ruling Elder, but was not in- 
stalled. Rev. Thomas M. Hench was the first stated supply, and 
was subsequently chosen pastor, but was not installed. He was 
succeeded b}'^ Rev. A. F. Ashley, who supplied the Church about 
two years, commencing in 1870. In December, 1873, Rev. I. T. 
Whittemore, the present pastor, took charge of the Church, and 
in October, 1874, was installed pastor. The membership at the 
organization consisted of nineteen members — twelve males and 
seven females. There were received from the time of organiza- 
tion to January, 1874, twenty-seven — making a total of forty-six. 
There had been dismissed, seven ; removed by death, one. There 
had been added since (nearly all upon profession of faith) eighty- 
one, and lost by dismission, six; and by death, five, leaving the 
present membership one hundred and eight. The following are 
the present officers ruling: Elders, David Campbell, John Coch- 
rane and Aaron Bennett. Deacons, J. A. Brown, Cyrus Elliott 
and Jolin Morninger. The system of i Rotary Eldership was 
adopted in December, 1875. The Church edifice was erected in 
1869. It is located on block one, lot six. It is a good frame 



562 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

structure, forty feet by sixty, and costing about $4,000. It has a 
seating capacity of three hunded. The average attendance of 
the Sunday School is seventy; Cyrus Elliott, Superintendent j 
Charles Bruce, Secretary. 

Ebenezer. — This society was formed by a portion of Camp Creek 
Church, in 1861, and the same year a good frame church edifice 
was erected at a cost of $2,000. Its size is thirty-six feet by 
tifty-six. In 186G a parsonage was built which cost $1,500. Both 
€hureh and parsonage are located on the northwest corner of sec- 
tion thirty-two, Scotland township. There were fortj^-four mem- 
bers present at the organization. Now the membership is about 
one hundred. George W. Provine, John Clark, J, Sullivan and 
Robert McISTair were chosen elders. The deacons elected were 
James Walker, James Clark and J. A. Provine, and Rev. J. M. 
Chase was chosen pastor. In 1865 J. T. Bliss was called to the 
pastorate, and in 1868 Rev. II. C. Mullens, the present pastor, was 
called. Simon Smith and James Clark were elected elders in 1869. 

CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN. 

Notwithstanding it was among the first to organize in this 
county, this denomination has never made any material progress 
here in building up their cause, even in one instance failing to 
sustain what they had already gained. At Macomb a very flour- 
ishing congregation once existed, having a neat and commodious 
house of worship. The building has been sold and the congrega- 
tion disbanded. Revs. Cyrus Haines, T. R. Roach and Wm. C. 
McKamy were among the most noted ministers of the denomina- 
tion who have labored here. The number of communicants in 
the county are now about three hundred and thirty-two. The 
first church organized was the 

Bershcba, or Argyle. — The Bersheba congregation of the Cum- 
berland Presbyterian Church, was organized January 19th, 1834, 
by Rev. P. C. Jewel. The organization took place at the resi- 
dence of John McCord, in the southwestern part of Emmet 
township. The original membership was nine. John McCord 
and E. Durant were the first Ruling Elders. William McCord was 
appointed Clerk of the Session. This church held its first meet_ 
ing near the residence of John McCord, in 1838, and was con- 
ducted by Rev. Peter Downey, Cyrus Ilaynes, John Crawford and 
William McKamy. The church remained at the place of organ- 
ization until 1854, when it moved to Argyle Church, in the south- 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 563 

eastern part of Hire township. For a while, this church house 
was held jointly by the Baptists and Cumberland Presbyterians. 
In the spring of 1855 the first Sabbath School was organized, and 
superintended by G. W. Welch. For twenty years after the 
house was erected, Rev. J. W. Stapp had charge of the church 
the greater portion of time. The present membership is sixty. 
llev. David llogan took charge of the congregation April Ist, 
1875. In the spring of 1876 a parsonage was built near the 
church house, and is held as the property of the C. P. Church at 
this place. It cost $600. The cost of the church is $1,500. The 
Elders of the church at present are : T. J. Caldwell, Allen Mur- 
ray, A, G. McCord and G. W. Stapp. The Deacons are E. A. 
"Welch and J. T. Murray. The average attendance at the Sab- 
bath School is sixty; F. F. Myer, Superintendent. 

Sugar Creek. — Meetings of this congregation were held in the 
Foster neighborhood as early as 1836. In that year, at the resi- 
dence of A. J. Foster, the Rev. William C. McKamy was or- 
dained a minister of the gospel, being the first minister ordained 
in the county. Meetings were held off" and on in groves, dwell- 
ings and school houses until 1865 or '66, when the present church 
structure was erected. It is a good frame, about thirty-six by 
forty-eight feet, and cost $3,000. It stands on section two of 
]^>ldorado township. The present membership is about seventy- 
five. Contributions per year, $450. The Elders are William D. 
Foster and Samuel J. Foster. Rev. William S. Campbell, pastor. 
John T. Foster, Superintendent of Sunday school. Attendance, 
fifty. Contributions, fifty cents per Sunday. 

Good Hope. — This was formerly known as Walnut Grove Church 
and was organized April 28, 1838, by Rev. Peter Downey, Cyrus 
Haynes, and Elder John McCord, who constituted the committee 
of Rushville Presbytery appointed for that purpose. The original 
members were Cyrus Haynes, Mahala Haynes, A. H. Berry, M. 
M. Berry, Michael Vincent, Levi Hamilton, Malinda Hamilton, 
Mary Stapp, J. B. Stapp, Mary Creel, Charles Creel and Parthena 
Creel. For about twenty years its ministers served as stated sup- 
plies. Prominent among these were Rev. Cyrus Haynes, Peter 
Downey, Rev. Weir, William S. Campbell, E. Knowles, T. K. 
Roach and J. W. Stapp. In 1859, Rev. J. W, Carter was installed 
pastor, and served for nine years. Following him were T. S. Mc- 
Clure, Rev. Richardson, J. H. Morgan, and the present pastor, J. 



564 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

D. -b'oster. There has been two churcli buildings erected. The 
first was destroyed by lire, and supposed to be the 
work of an incendiary. Another structure Avas erected on the 
same site, at Wahiut Grove, two miles and a halt' southeast of 
Good Hope. This building was removed to Good Hope and re- 
modeled. The present membership is 100. The value of 
church property is $3,500. The first Elders were Michael Yin- 
cent, Levi Hamilton and J. S. Campbell. Present officers are L. 
Hamilton, J. S. Campbell, Silas Creel, Henry Baker, A. Allison, 
JT. A. Allison, ^Y. T. Brooking, Mr. Hamilton, C. H. Creel and 
John Edmonston. H. A. Allison yuperintendent of Sunday School. 
Average attendance is eighty. 

Indasiry. — This congregation was organized at the house of 
Thomas Adkisson, November 3, 1843, with the follow^ing mem- 
bers : Nathan Compton, Sarah Compton, John (^ompton, Sarah 
Adkisson, William C. McKamy, Mrs. O. H. McKamy, Jane P. 
McKamy, Elizabeth McKamy, John McKamy, Margaret Camp- 
bell, Tom. Pollock, Elizabeth Osborn, A. J. Osborn, Stephen 
Cockerham, Kachel Cockerham, Martha Bridges, Walter Mean, 
Joseph Peck, Martha M. Berry and A. H. Berry. Nathan 
Campbell was elected Elder. The congregation was first named 
Grindstone. Shortly after the organization, meetings were held 
in S. Cockerham's house. After this the camp grounds were 
used, which were on the farm now owned by Washington Vail. 
In 1845 a Union Church house was erected, which, at present, 
stands unoccupied one mile and a half east of Industry. This 
building was used until the one occupied at present was erected. 
The congregation is not now in a very prosperous condition. 
The membership is forty-two; value of church, $2,500. They have 
no Sunday School. Rev. Wm. C. McKany preaches occasionally. 
J. H. Berry was the first supply. Several very successful meetings 
were held in the early existence of this church. One shortly 
after its organization, when seventeen professed religion. An- 
other commencing August 18, 1844, when twenty-six united with 
them. 

West Prairie. — This congregation was originally organized at 
"Sixteen" school house, where meetings were held until the erec- 
tion of the church. Meetings were also held in the school house 
of district number three, Eldorado township, by another little 
band. At the close of the rebelion, Rev. Jcmes Russell, who had 
served as a chaplain in the army, was employed by these and 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 565 

other cougregations, and by his earnest labor he united the two, 
and urged the buiUling of a church editico, which was done in 
1867, at a cost of $3,300. The buihling is a neat frame about 
thirty-three feet by lifty. It is located upon the southwest cor- 
ner ot section nine, Eldorado township. Rev. Janies Russell was 
the iirst pastor, Rev. McClellan followed, and at present. Rev. 
James Morgan has pastoral charge. Pastor's salary for one-half 
of his time, $400. The church has been rather prosperous, and 
now has a membership of fifty-five. The elders are, Samuel Wil- 
coxeu, Thomas Moore, AYilliam McFadden and William M. 
Hammock. Deacons : Henry Ilushaw and John Burson. Trus- 
tees : Samuel Wilcoxen, Isaac Chandler and Thomas Moore. The 
Sunday school, under the superintefldeucy of Maxwell Kennedy, 
is one of the best in the county. The average attendance is sixty. 

COXGREGATIONALISTS. 

This branch of the Church of Christ has never succeeded in 
any special degree in this county, there being two congregations 
organized, one at Prairie City and the other at Macomb. In both 
places neat and commodious houses of w^orship have been erected, 
and every advantage would seem to be enjoyed by them, but pros- 
perity does not seem to attend them in the way of membership, 
the entire number in the two churches being only one hundred 
and fifteen. The first congregation organized was that of 

Prairie City — The First Congregational Church of Prairie City 
was organized at Yirgil, Fulton county, October 1, 1842. The 
Rev, Levi Spencer, who was laboring at Canton, had held a series 
of meetings at this place, and his conversions formed a nucleus 
out of which this congregation was organized, and consisted of 
the following eleven members: Ezra D. Smith, Cyntha Smith, 
A. G. AndreW'S, Frederick R. Andrews, George S. Smith, Almon 
Tainter, Levi Curtis, Nancy Smith, Sarah Schotield, Laura Gor- 
ham and Chloc Andrews. This church was dependant on the 
Home Missionary Society until November 15, 1845 ; then for ten 
years it received aid from the Knox Presbytery. After that, and 
until 1868, aid came from the Home Missionary Society. The 
church was removed to Prairie City, October 9, 1858, and those 
called to labor with the church since, as pastor, were Revs. Samuel 
Dilley, B. F. Worrell, A. Y. Drake, L. Jones and II. B. Swift. 
Initiatory steps were taken October 6, 1860, toward erecting a 
H— 36 



566 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

house of worship. The building was completed and dedicated 
September 27, 1865. It is a good, substantial frame building, 
costing S3, 000. The present membership is thirty-five. Xo pastor 
employed since December, 1876. Trustees, B. F. Iloyt, Francis 
T. Emery, E. D. Smith and E. S. Bates. Deacons, B. F. Iloyt 
and E. S. Bates. Clerk, E. A. Boynton. Annual contributions, 
$800. B. F. Iloyt, Superintendent of the Sunday school. At- 
tendance, thirty-five. Contributions, twenty-five cents. 

3Iacomb. — The first Congregationalist Church of Macomb was 
organized in 1858, the following being the original members : L. 
Clisby and family, J. Trull and family, J. P. McCandless and 
family, James Anderson and family. Dr. Chase, Thomas Gilraore 
and wife, Hector McLean and family, Reid and family, and Mrs. 
S. Beardsley. From 1863 to 1867 no regular pastor was em- 
ployed, and no religious advancement was made. In 1867 the 
E,ev. Gr. L. Granger was called as pastor, and spent two years, 
when the Rev. Lemuel Jones was called to the pastorate. Rev. 
Z. K. Hawley was the first pastor. In 1872 and 1873, the congrega- 
tion erected a neat church edifice on Carroll street, east of Ran- 
dolph street, at a cost of $6,500. The present member- 
ship is eighty. The average annual contribution is about $1,000. 
The salary of the pastor, $900. There are seventy-five scholars 
enrolled in the Sunday School, with an average attendance of 
fifty-five scholars, and a contribution of fifty-five cents per Sun- 
day. 

BAPTISTS. 

Although this denomination was the first to hold service in this 
county, and occupied the field alone for some time, its congrega- 
tions are none of them very old. Whether the first organizations 
ceased to exist, or were merged in others, we are unable to deter- 
mine. As a denomination they have been growing rapidly in 
numbers during the past ten or fifteen years. They now number 
ten congregations and seven hundred and forty-six members in the 
county. Following will be found short sketches of each con- 
gregation : 

Ilitlsborough. — This congregation was organized in 1849, and in 
the year following a good frame house of worship was erected, 
at a cost of $2,000. It is located on the southeast quarter of sec- 
tion 18, Blandinsville township. The house at present is in good 
repair. The membership is one hundred and thirteen. The fol- 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 507 

lowing persons have served us pastors: Elder J, CJ, Ward, Wil- 
liam Forrest, John Kay and the present pastor. Elder AVilliani 
Ilobbs, who came among this people in 18G8. 

Macomb. — The First Baptist Church of Macomb was organized 
in 1827, by Rev. D. D. Gregory. The congregation purchased the 
Macomb Female Seminary building on north Lafayette street, now 
occupied by the Second Baptist Church, and continued to worship 
there until their new church edifice was erected, which was in 
1869. It is on Carroll street west of Lafayette street, and is the 
largest and most expensive churcli structure in tbe county. The 
architectural design of the building is rather imposing, of good pro- 
portion and pleasing to the eye; a very tall steeple, one hundred 
and thirty-two feet high, rises from the center of the building, over 
the front and main entrance, it is beautifully designed and pro- 
portioned. The present value of the structure is $11,000, al- 
though it cost the congregation several thousand dollars more 
to erect it ; real estate, material and labor were much higher then 
than at present. The following are the names of the original 
members: D. I). Gregory, J. Pennington, T. Axford, J. W. 
Blount, M. T. Winslow, Mrs. Rice, Mrs. McCabe and Mrs. Sum- 
mers. The congregation has grown gradually until the member- 
ship at present numbers one hundred and seventy-two, with an 
average contribution of $2,000 per year. The following are the 
names of the various pastors since the organization : Rev. L. M. 
Whitman, J. O. Metcalf, C. W. Palmer, J. L. Benedict, 0. B. 
Roberts, and the present pastor, Rev. J. L. M. Young. The 
salary of the pastor is $1,000 per annum. There are enrolled in 
the Sunday school about one hundred and twenty-live, with an 
average contribution of from seventy-five to ninety cents per Sun- 
day. 

Prairie City. — The Baptist church of Prairie City was organized 
November 9, 1856, by Elder E. J. Lockwood, with the following 
fourteen members : Alonzo Barnes, Martha L. Barnes, 
Wm. Davis, Susan Davis, Kate Smith, J. B. Robinson and wife: 
Ann Legg, M. Ileminover, Martha Macomb, T. C. Luther, Porter 
J. Jack, Ruth II. Bell and Rebecca Barnes. Meetings were held 
in the school house until 1850, when a good frame church edifice 
was erected, at a cost of $2,000 ; it is 32x48 feet, with a spire con- 
taining a fair-sized bell; it is situated on Smith street near Main. 
The first Deacons chosen were : M. Ileminover and Alonzo Barnes. 
Mr. Barnes was also chosen clerk. The following have served this 



568 HISTORY OF w'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

church as pastors : S. A, Kingshury, H. S. P. Warren, C. Hutchins, 
E. J. Lockwood, Danforth C. A. Ilewett, A. S. Colville, and S. H. 
D. Vaughn, the present pastor. The present officers are : Deacons, 
Alonzo Barnes and J. 11. Taylor ; Clerk, J. S. Barnes. The present 
membership is about iifty, and the annual contribution $800. A 
good Sunday School with an average attendance of seventy-iive, 
is presided over by Alonzo Barnes. The contribution ot the 
school is about $1.00 per Sunday. 

Independent. — The church building ot this congregation is 
located upon section ten of Emmet township, and was erected in 
1858 or '50. The organization was originally perfected July 4, 
1817, with a membership of eight, and until the erection of the 
house of worship, met in a school house. Rev. J. Owen was the 
lirst pastor, succeeded respectively by the following: Elders 
Hays, Thomas Camp, W. L. Forrest, Ray, Canfield, Joel Penning- 
ton, Parks, Ilobbs and, in 1876, the present pastor. Elder W. L. 
Lemly, was called. Since the organization of the church 220 
persons have taken membership. Of this number, 16 have died, 
91 dismissed by letter, and 23 excluded. The present member- 
ship is but 42. The value of the church property is $600. Joshua 
Simmons and James Simmons are Trustees. The latter is also 
Superintendent of the Sunday school, which has an attendance of 
about 40. 

Cedar Creek. — The church structure is located on section twen- 
ty-two of AValnut Grove township. It is a good frame building, 
26x46 feet, and was erected in 1872, at a cost of $1,500. Rev. 
John Thompson, pastor. 

Tennessee. — This church Avas organized February 8, 1860, by 
Elders Farris, and Garuett. Held meetings in school house until 
1863, when the present church structure was erected, and at a cost 
of $2,000. It is a good frame building thirty-six feet by forty- 
four. The following are the names of the original members: 
Michael Stookey, Lacinda Stookey, Joseph Wood, Mary Wood, 
Carolina Samuel, B. Smith, Sarah Smith, John Carroll, Elizabetli 
Hawker, Thomas Howell, Sarah Howell, G. 1). Mourning, Rebec- 
ca Mourning, and J. G. Eastwood. The present membership is 
thirty-hve ; a few years ago it numbered one hundred and forty, 
but two or three churches have been organized through the country 
by members attending here, and this of course largely diminished 
the membership. The following are the pastors serving this church 
respectively : Elders D. J. Garnett, J. D. Ward, W. R. Welch, 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 569 

H. II. Parks, T. N. Lowe, and Elder AV. R. Welch, the present 
pastor, who has labored with this people before. James L. Trow- 
or, moderator ; D. J. Garnett, clerk. 

BushneU. — The Baptist Church of Bushnell was organized 
March 1, 1862. Elder II. S. P. Warren was moderator of the 
meeting and .lohn F. Smith, clerk. The original members were : 
Elder Warren, J. F. Smith, Jonathan (Greene, William IT. 
Oreene, Moses Wilson, William S. Ilummell, Augustine Kenyon, 
Jane Fusin, Esther Adams, Laura J. Warren, Lucy P. Greene. 
The pastors from that time to the present are the following in or- 
der : Rev. II. P. S. Warren, William T. lily, Elijah Ross, Wm. 
T. Hill, J. J. W. Place, G. P. Guild and Niles Kinney, the present 
pastor. The church building was erected in 1867, and dedicated 
in October of the same year. The meetings of the church had 
previously been held in the German M. E. Church, in Andrews, 
Hall, and in Smith's Hall. The building is situated on Crafibrd 
street east of the C, B. & Q. R. R. depot, and is a good frame 
structure thirty-six feet by forty-four, and is worth $2,700. The 
growth of the church has been gradual, mostly by members mov- 
ing in from other places, and in the conversion of the children 
and friends of its members. The church has had several revivals 
of religion, but no very extensive work. The present member- 
ship is 102; average annual contribution, $850. The present 
officers are : Clerk, J. R. Ivay ; Treasurer, J. L. Griffith ; Trustees, 
W. L. Sheaff, J. Dixon, W. S. Ilummell, H. L^owler and E. B. 
Hunt; Deacons, W. II. Greene, H. Fowler and J. R. Kay. The 
average attendance in the Sunday school is eighty-five; the con- 
tribution, $60,00 per year. J. R. Kay, superintendent and has 
been for ten years. Since the organization ten members have 
died. 

Sciota. — This church was organized in the spring of 1870, at a 
meeting held in the Christian Church, at which Elder Corfield 
"Officiated, and with seven or eight members. Meetings were held 
in the Christian Church until a church edifice of their own was 
erected, which was in 1871. It is a good, plain church structure, 
about thirty feet wide by forty long, with a well proportioned 
■spire rising from the centre of the front, which contains a good 
toned, ordinary sized bell. The building cost $1,950. The pres- 
ent membership is about eighty, and the contributions about $700 
per annum. The first sermon preached by a Baptist minister in 
iSciota was by Elder Sutton, in the year 1868. The church, after 



570 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

its organizatiou, was very prosperous, and continJied so until a 
short time ago, when, unfortunately, discord and strife arose 
among its members. The present officers are : Deacons William 
Perrine and F. Hollenbeck ; Pastor, Rev. Colvin ; Evan Rogers, 
Superintendent of Sunday school. Attendance, thirty; contribu- 
tion, thirty cents per week. 

Blandinsvilte. — The following correct history of the organiza- 
tion of this church we copy from the digest of letters in the min- 
utes of the 37th anniversary of the Salem Baptist Association, 
held at Macomb: "Rev. S, Pickard, during the month of June, 
came among us and held a series ot meetings, which resulted in 
our organization. By the blessings ot the great head of the 
Church, saints were revived and sinners made to bow. We were 
organized on the twenty-fourth of June, 1870, by Elders Samuel 
Pickard and Wm. Ilobbs, and publicly recognized as the Baptist 
church of Blandinsville by a regular council called for that pur- 
pose. We have commenced the erection of a house of worship, 
which we expect to complete before winter. Have preaching 
every alternate Thursday evening, by Elder J. J. W. Place, and 
occasionally by Elder ISTorman Parks, of Raritan, on Sunday." 
The following were the original twelve members . J. C. Feigley, 
Mrs. J. R. Harmon, Edith Porter, Mary A. Ward, Helen Gruber, 
Eliza Feigley, Jane Ray, Eleseph Ray, Matilda Seybold, Paulina 
Logan, Henry Harmon and Isaac H. Bogarth. The church has been 
prosperous, enjoying four seasons of revival, which brought many 
into the fold of Christ. At present the membership is ninety-one ; 
the congregation has agood church edifice on Maple street which is 
valued at $4,000. Those serving as pastors since its organization, 
have been : Rev. J. H. Delano, Wm. Hobbs, G. E. Eldridge and 
Rev. J. Wood Sanders. The average salary paid pastors has been 
$550 per year; the annual contribution is |800. The attendance 
at Sunday School is sixty ; the annual collection, $40. 

Second Church (colored), Macomb. — This congregation was 
organized by Elder Doling, of Quincy, J. C. Graves, Galesburg, 
J. W. Harrington, Sciota, and A. Jilackburn, Macomb, May 9,. 
1875. The following were the original members : Andrew 
Pleasant, Hattie Pleasant, David and Emma Hammond, Winnie 
Fields, Matilda Mayweather, Wisten Jackson and Maria Sanford. 
The church has had two revivals, at which thirteen were added to 
the church, making a membership at present of twenty-five. The 
church building is situated on Korth Lafayette street, and was 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 571 

formerly owned by the First Baptist Church, but purchased from 
them recently, $400 being the consideration. The annual contri- 
bution is about $2-40. The pastor's salary for one-half his time is 
$120 per year. There are twenty scholars enrolled in the Sunday 
School. Rev. William Webster, pastor; J. E. Fields, W. Jack- 
son and William II. Ball, Trustees ; D. Hammond, M. Clay and 
Wisten Jackson, Deacons ; J. B. Fields, Clerk ; D. Hammond, 
Treasurer ; and Henry Fields, Sexton. 

UNIVERSALISTS. 

« 

This denomination has never made any special eftbrt to evan- 
gelize in this county, and therefore do not number very largely, 
having only one congregation, which is located at Macomb. 

Universalist Church, Macomb. — The first sermon of this denom- 
ation ever preached in Macomb was delivered by the Rev. Gard- 
ner in 1846. In 1851 a congregation was organized by Rev. I. 
M. Westfall. The following named persons were among the orig- 
inal members: R. M. Bonham, J. W. Westtall, J. M. Martin, John 
S. Smith, Orsamus Walker, J. L. '^. Hall, William D. Penrose, F. 
L. Westfall, D. D. Roll, Green C. Lane, II. II. Burr, John Q. 
Lane, John L. Ileuton, and J. II. Baker. Services were held in 
the court house until 1855, when the Dresent church structure was 
erected. It is located on East Jackson street, near the Square, 
and is a good frame building. Those that have served as pastors 
for this congregation are: Revs. L M. Westfall, William S. Bal- 
lon, D. P. Livermore, Carney, William Livingston, John 

Hugbcs, T. II. Tabor, J. P. Weston, D. R. Biddlecome, S. West, 
and the present pastor, Rev. B. jST. Wiles. The present member- 
ship is about one hundred; the value of church property is $5,000. 
J. II. Baker, J. L. IT. Hall, R. M. Bonham are trustees; J. H. 
Baker, superintendent of Sundaj'^-school. 

IIEFORMED CHURCH. 

Only one congregation of this body exists in this county, no 
special eftbrt having ever been made to extend the cause else- 
where than at 

BiLshncU. — This church was organized October 19, 1856, by a 
committee consisting of Rev. A. Wilson and S. B. Ayers. The 
original members were Frederick Cruser, Thomas Plotts and wife, 
Aaron Sperling and D. M. Wyckoft*. The church edifice was 
erected in 1860 or '61, and dedicated May 1, 186L It is a good 



572 HISTORY OF m'donough county. 

frame buildiug, and is on the corner of Church and Crattord 
streets. It is valued at $5,000, and the parsonage at $1,G00. The 
first meetings of the society were held in a school house, and 
afterward in a carpenter shop which was purchased and fitted up 
as a chapel. The present resident membership is one hundred and 
four. The first consistory was composed of Elders John 
Wyckofi, Thomas riotts and Frederick K. Cruser; Deacons 1). 
M. Wyckofi' and Aaron Sperling. The present consistory is com- 
posed of tfie following : Lewis Smick, J. S.^ Clark, Abram Iloag- 
land and D. M. AYyckoff', Elders; and J. B. Pearson, J. I. Ter- 
rine, J. B. Cummings and M. L. Sperry, Deacons. For the past 
eight years the annual contributions have been SI, 665. The Sab- 
bath school is superintended by J. B. Cummings. The average 
attendance is eighty. There have been but three pastors : Revs. E. 
P. Livingston, James Wyckofi' and the present one. Rev. G. D. W. 
Bodine. 

FREE WILL BAPTIST. 

Fralrk City. — This congregation was organized in September, 
1857, by Elder John B. Fast, assisted by Elders S. Shaw and P. 
Christian, and consisted of the following members : Elder J. B. 
Fast and Sarah, his wife, John J. Fast, Samuel Kestleroad and 
Catharine, his wife, William ISTestleroad, William Bolin, Adaline 
Tainter, Belchy Mary White and David S. Johnson. From 1859 
to 18(i8, the congregation met in the Prairie City Academy build- 
iug; Elder J. B. Fast was employed as the first pastor, and the 
first deacons were Samuel ITestleroad and John Murphy. For 
awhile the church was quite prosperous, having a membership of 
two hundred, at present the membership is but seventy. In 1866 
and 1867 the church edifice, which stands on Fremont avenue, 
was erected, and at a cost of $5,000, It is a frame forty feet wide 
and sixty feet long, having two floors; the lower for Sunday 
school and prayer meetings. The upper is the main auditorium and 
has a seating capacity of four hundred. The average annual con- 
tribution is $1,000. Jvcv. B. F. World is the present pastor; J. 
F, Davis, deacon and clerk, (t. AV^. Closson is superintendent of 
the Sunday school, which has an average attendance of one hun- 
dred, with a contribution of fifty cents per Sunday. 

Maple Hill. — This congregation was organized in 1875, by Rev. 
T. J. Dodge, with twelve members. They meet in Maple Hill 
school house, in the southeast corner of section twenty-six. Bush- 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUOH COUNTY. 573 

nell township. Benjamin Tainter, deacon ; George AV. Thomp- 
son, superintendent of the Sunday scliool, which has an average 
attendance ot twenty-seven. 

CATHOLIC. 

Two congregations exist in this county, viz : at Tennessee and 
Macomb, both in good condition. Contrary to the spirit of the 
denomination there seems never to liave been any special effort 
put forth to buihl up their cause in this county. The first congre- 
gation organized was that at Tennessee. 

Tennessee. — About 1839, the old church at Fountain Green (St. 
Simon's) was built, but not completed. In 1860, the church was 
removed to Tennessee, and a good church building erected. 
Among the original members at Tennessee were the following: 
Mr. Irwin, and family, Mr. McKeons, Mr. Rutledge, Mr. Nester, 
Mr. Cosgroves, with their their families. Rev. Father Albright 
was the first pastor. Rev. Father Touhey (of Macomb) is the 
present pastor. 

Macomb. — The Catholic congregation of Macomb was organ- 
ized in 1854 by the Rev. Father O'JS^eill. The following are the 
names of the original members: Frank McSpirit and family, Jo- 
seph Reilly and family, Terence and Patrick McGinnis, Peter 
Crawford, Patrick Laughlin, Francis Campbell and Michael Mc- 
Gan. Services were held at the residence of Frank McSpirit, 
where Peter Sullivan, Sr., now lives. The Rev. Mr. O'Neill offi- 
ciated for about four years, and was succeeded by Father Schile- 
ing, who was instrumental in purchasing the lots on West Jackson 
street, corner of Johnson, upon which the pres'ent church structure 
and parsonage stands. In 1864 Rev. John Larmer came as pastor. 
Daring his pastorate the church was built and parsonage refitted. 
Rev. Thomas F. Mangan succeeded Rev. Larmer, and remained as 
pastor for two years. He was succeeded by Rev. D. J. Cogan. 
The Rev. James Tuohy, the present pastor, succeeded Rev. 
Cogan. In 1875 a revival," or mission, was held by a missionary 
clergyman from New York. The church financially is in good 
condition. The church property is valued at $7,000. The 
annual income about ^1,000. The average attendance in the Sun- 
day school is about eighty. 



574 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

^CHRISTIANS. 

The Christians, as an organized denominatu)n, commenced 
their distinct existence from other christian bodies about the 
beginning of the present century, viz : in three different localities 
— in the East, in 1804, from the Baptists, Abner Jones and Elias 
Smith being prominent leaders in the movement ; in the South 
(North Carolina), in 1802, from the Methodists, led by Elder 
O'Reilly ; and in the West, from the Presbyterians, led by Ful- 
ton W. Stone, Marshall, Thompson, Dunlany, and David l*urvi- 
ance. These men were moved by a common impulse, East, West 
and South, to work a reformation in the religious world, and 
were eminently successful. The leading principles of the "Chris- 
tians," as urged by those pioneers and still held prominent by the 
body are : 

First. — The Bible their ouly written creed of faith and conduct. 

Second. — Christian their only name. 

Third. — Conversion ; vital piety : Christian character ; Christ's likeness in spirit and 
practice their test of fellowship. 

Fourtli. — Private judgment the right of all christians in matters of doctrine and 
conscience. They beheve in God, as the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ; in 
the Son, as the only begotten of the Father ; in the Holy Spirit, as proceeding from the 
Father ; one Comforter and Sanctifier. 

N. Summerbell, D. I)., the present editor of their denomina- 
tional paper, summarizes thus: "If the Christians, generally, 
believe in one God, in Christ as the Divine Son of God, in the 
influence of the Sprit, in the fullness of atonement, in repent- 
ance, faith, conversion, baptism, holiness, the resurrection, the 
judgment and eternal life, it is not because they have a human 
creed, but because these doctrines are so frequently and so 
luminously set forth in the word of God that they naturally adopt 
them. '-^ * -'^ Nothing is more dear to the heart of the Chris- 
tian than the hope that all Christians will yet return to the apos- 
tolical basis and be united in Christ. The evangelical basis, 
insisting only on pure ]3ible words for doctrine, and ftxith and 
fellowship, removes the greatest obstacle to union." 

Baptism is administered by an entire immersion or burial with 
Christ. The Christians have some 1,600 churches, about as many 
ministers, ninety conferences, and about 250,000 membership. 
Schools and colleges are encouraged ; and a Bible school, at 
Standfirville, New York. They claim the earliest religious paper, 
the Herald of Gospel Liberty, commenced in 1808 ; now published 
at Dayton, Ohio, 

^Nickname New Lights. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 575 

Christian Church, Industry. — This congregation was organized 
January 27, 1858, by Rev. John McMillin, with the following 
members, James AI. Vail, Elizabeth J. Vail, James B. A'aiL ^o- 
])hia Vail, Jessie Brown, J. Brown, llexey Downen, and Nancy 
A'ail. Meetings were held in school houses until the Cumberland 
I'resbyterian church was erected, when it was used until 18G9, 
when a building of their own was erected at a cost of about $5,000, 
it is a good frame forty feet by sixty feet. The present member- 
ship is one hundred and twenty, but the general attendance is 
about four hundred. The following pastors hav^e served this 
church : John McMillin, Alvin H. Chase, Eli Linscott, and the 
present pastor J. L. Towner. The trustees are John B. Vail, 
AVashington A'ail, T. B. Stewart, and Caleb Hathaway. The at- 
tendance of the Sunday school is about seventy-five, contribution 
about $75 per year, mostly raised by entertainments. Aaron 
8husley, superintendent. 

GERMAN BAPTISTS, OR BRETHREN. 

In all their periodicals and records this sect is known as Ger- 
man Baptists, but always among themselves as Brethren, and are 
better known, perhaps, by others by their nickname Bunkers. 
This denomination claims to have re-organized the church, with 
all of its primitive rites in 1708 in Germany. The awakening 
that followed Luther's reformation caused many to seek after true 
"primitive Christianity," who, from their Christian -association to- 
gether and fidelity to the teachings of their Alaster, were called 
*'Pietists." Their zeal aroused the indignation of the priesthood, 
who, by the relentless hand of persecution, drove them for pro- 
tection to AVitgenstein. 

They still held to the name of Pietists, but notwithstanding 
much difference of opinion among themselves, they called each 
other brothers and labored together. It was found necessary to 
have a form of regular church government. A convention for 
this purpose was held, which resulted in partial failure. There 
Avere eight souls who here covenanted with God in Christ Jesus — 
to take the Bible as their man of council, and the Gospel of their 
blessed Savior for their rule of faith and practice, ignoring all 
creeds and discipline of human invention, but resolved, by the 
grace of God, to make all things according to the pattern shown 
to them on Mount Zion. There were eight present at this con- 
vention. The little band made considerable headway for several 



576 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

years, when again they were driven from their homes by persecu- 
tion. They sought shelter under the King of Prussia, and still 
further persecution followed, when they resolved to go to 
America, and in 1719 the first party landed, and in ll'Id the re- 
mainder arrived, and settled in Germantown, Pennsylvania. From 
this point they have spread all over the nation, numbering at 
preserit about 150,000, with 1,466 ministers, with 140 in Illinois. 

Mr. A. G. Black, a minister of the Washington arm of the 
Church, located in the county of Kosciusko, Ind., came to this 
county m 1864, and, after visiting the members residing here and 
in the western part of Fulton count}'', concluded to organize a 
Church in this county, and on June 2nd, 1865, through the kind- 
ness of the friends in school district number eight, in Mound 
township, were permitted to meet in their school house. There 
were fourteen present: John Pool and wife, Henry Zuck and 
wife, John Crowl and wife, Joseph Rinker and wife, Martin My- 
ers and wife, Isaac IST. Crosswait and wife, A. G. Black and wife, 
and some foreign brethren. After the usual solemnities of such 
occasions, it was ascertained that John Pool and Henry Zuck 
were already authorized Deacons, and A. G. Black a Minister in 
the second degree. The members present, on being examined 
separate and apart from the official members, agreed to accept 
them in their official capacity in the new organization. After the 
Elders had dedicated them to their Lord and Master in solemn 
prayer to God, the organization was given the name of the Bush- 
nell Arm of the Church. Since, thirty members have moved 
within the boundary of the congregation, and thirty-four joined 
by baptism, while sixteen have removed — leaving a total of sixty- 
two. 

In 1867 John L. Myers and Jacob Burgard, who is now de- 
ceased, were chosen to the ministry, and in the same year Hiram 
Morrison and P. Carson were elected deacons, and in 1875 John 
Pool, Jr., was chosen to the ministry and William Cook as 
deacon. 

The tenets of the church are, in brief, as follows; They con- 
sider faith, repentance and baptism as essential to church mem- 
bership, also valid Christian baptism to be performed by "trine 
immersion," Matthew 28 : 19; members are to observe all things 
Christ has commanded them. Matt. 28 : 20; they are not to engage 
in carnal warfare, Isa. 2 : 4, Matt. 16 : 52 and 5 : 38-47; they are 
not to take an oath. Matt. 5 : 33-37, James 5 : 12; they are to 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 577 

wash oue another's feet, as commanded in John 13; and are to 
salute one another with the kiss, as commanded live times hy the 
Apostles, and observe plainness ot dress as commanded in I. Peter 
3, and other places. Respectfully, 

A. G. Black. 

UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST. 

The church of the United Brethren in Christ was organized by 
Rev. Philip William Otterbein, in Baltimore, Maryland, in the 
year 1774, and until 1800, w^ere called United Brethren. In order 
to distinguish this church from the Moravian United Brethren 
Church, the words "in Christ" were added. The highest ecclesi- 
astical body in this church consists of a General Conference, 
composed of Bishops and three Delegates from each Annual Con- 
ference. It is the duty of the General Conference to enact such 
laws as are required for the good government of the church, and 
to see that they are properl}'' administered and observed by the 
Annual Conference, which is the next highest body, and is com- 
posed of Ordained Elders, and Annual Conference Licentiates, 
presided over by a Bishop. The duty of this body is to enquire 
into the moral and official character of its members, look after 
the various interests of the church in its district, elect presiding 
elders and station ministers on their various fields of labor. There 
are now forty Annual Conferences in the entire church. The one 
of wdiich the churches of this county form a part, embraces the 
territory between the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, as far north 
as the mouth of Rock river and the city of Peru, and is known 
as the Illinois Conference. The next body in authority is the 
Quarterly Conference, composed of the pastors, local preachers, 
exhorters, class-leaders, stewards, Sabbath school superintendents 
and trustees of churches and parsonages belonging to the circuit, 
mission or station. This body is presided over by a Presiding 
Elder, and its duty is to inquire into the moral and official char- 
acter of its members, and look after the various interests of the 
church. Classes are organized, consisting of three or more mem- 
bers, who elect a leader, whose term of office continues one year. 
A steward, whose duty it is to look after the finances of the class, 
is also elected annually. The highest office in the church is that 
of Bishop, which is filled every four years by an election of the 
General Conference. There are now five Bishops in the church : 
J. Weaver is Bishop of this district. Presiding Elders are elected 



578 HISTORY OK m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

annually by the Conference to which they belong. The church 
has always opposed intemperance, slavery and secret societies, and 
has special laws against them. The doctrine is similar to that 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. There are at present in this 
county fifteen societies and eleven church buildings, viz. : Pleas- 
ant Gale, Willow Grove, Jerusalem, Center, Mound Chapel, Pilot 
Grove, Lutz Chapel, Blandinsville, Elm Grove, Salem and La- 
moine Chapel. The numerical strength of this denomination in 
the county is not large, and it was a number of years after its or- 
ganization before a congregation was formed. Tliere are now 
nine in the county, having a membership of about three hundred 
and fifty. The first organized was the 

Elm Grove. — The church building is located on section fifteen 
of Hire township, and was erected in 186G at an outlay of $1,200. 
Its size is twenty-six by thirty-six feet. The church was organ- 
ized in 1855, with fifteen members. The present membership is 
thirty-five. Isaac Valentine, Pastor; Israel Null, Class Leader; 
Perry Keithly, Steward. The Trustees are John Nelson, James 
Boyce, William II. Null and Israel Null. William II. Null is 
Superintendent of the Sunday school. The average attendance of 
the school is thirty. 

Willo^n Grove. — The United Brethren ministers began preaching 
in Prosperity Hall, in 1867, but it was not until 1871 that a regu- 
lar organization was effected, which was by Rev. I. Valentine. 
Prosperity Hall alluded to was erected in 1862 by a Good Tem- 
plar society, and used by that order of temperance workers for 
seven or eight years. The hall was thrown open to the general 
public, and meetings by the various denominations were held in 
it. The building was about eighteen feet by thirty-two, and cost 
§450. Many interesting and profitable meetings and conventions 
were held in this hall, and were largely attended by those living 
in all parts of the county. Previous to the erection of the hall, 
meetings were held at the residence of A. J. Ilainline. The 
church building, which stands upon section one of Hire township, 
was dedicated by Bishop D. Edwards on the tenth of November, 
1872. The building is a good frame, thirty feet by forty, and cost 
$2,000. 

The following are the names of the original members : A. 
Brown and wife, Quincy Ilainline and wife, Georgiana Watts, 
Emma Watts, Lodelia Watts, James Eielding, Rebecca Ilainline, 



HISTORY OF M'dONOUGH COUNTY. 570 

Flora Ilaiiiline and Amanda ^[. Ilainline. Several successful re- 
vival meetings have been ^held, and present membership num- 
bers thirty. The following are the names of the various Pastors : 
Kev. J. 11. Snyder, N". A. Walker, I. Valentine, A. Worman, K. 
Godfrey, J. Wagner and W. 1\ Pease. The Trustees first elected 
still serve; they are: A.Brown, Q. C. Ilainline, J. B. Isom, 
William Watts and A. J. Mainline, Steward, J. B. Isom. Class 
Leader, Isaiah Stambaugh. Average contribution is $200 per 
year. Sunday School is held in union with the M. E. Church — 
attendance, thirty-five. 

New Philadelphia. — The church strncture is situated on section 
fourteen of Mound township, and was erected in 1868. G. A. 
Cadwallader is the Class Leader, and J. Pickering, Steward. The 
membership of the Sunday School is forty. G. A. Cadwallader, 
Superintendent. 

Jerusalem Chapel of the United Brethren Ckareh. — This society 
was organized October 29, 1867, at the residence of A. Switzer. 
J. B. Conly, A. Switzer, William Early, Enos Spangler elected 
trustees. A church ediiice was commenced immediately, and on 
the twenty-second of December, 1868, it was dedicated. It is 
built for the use of all orthodo.'c denominations when not in use 
by the United Brethren. The size of the building is 28 by 36 
feet, and the cost $1,411 85. It is located on section 11. The 
present membership is about thirty; at the organization but sixteen. 
The following are the various pastors since 1867: J. B.Austin, 
J. Dunham, S. K. Coats, IST. A. Walker, Amos Worman, Isaac 
Valentine, J. Wagner, and William Pease. 

Blandinsoilte. — Elder Josiah Terrel preached the first sermon 
in 1816, and organized the church same year, with the following 
named persons, as original members: Thomas Fisher and wife, 
Frank -b'reelaud and wife, Sylvester Ruddle and wife, Jacob Keith - 
ly and wife, Elizabeth Freeland, Wesley Freeland, Joseph Way, 
•lohn Freeland. Rev. D. G. Porter was the first pastor. The 
church at one time was quite powerful in the coramuuity and es- 
tablished an institution of learning in the place, the well known 
Blandinsville Seminary, which was in successful operation some 
years. The building has passed into the hands of the village and 
is still used for school purposes. For some years tlie cause has 
not prospered so well and is attributed by its members from the 
fact the society has always opposed slavery and secret societies. 



580 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

They have a church building vahied at $1,200, and a parsonage 
$250. They pay pastor $100 for one-third his time, and raise for 
all church purposes $200 per year. Tlie society is financially 
weak. In the Sunday school they have enrolled sevcnty-tive with 
an average attendance of fifty, and raise about $25 per year for 
school purposes. J. Dunham is the presiding elder for the dis- 
trict, and has occupied like position for many years. The follow- 
ing named have served as pastors ; D. T. Porter, J. R. Evans, J. 
Dunham, J. L. Condon, A. AVimset, Newton Walker, David Mar- 
tin, L. P. Parvin, Isaac Valentine, and A. Callahan. 

Pleasant Gale. — This church was organized in 1868 by Rev. J. 
Dunham, about one mile east of the present church building, 
which is located on the northeast corner ot section eight, Sciota 
township, and was dedicated November 1, 1874, by Rev. N. A. 
Walker. The building is a good frame structure, and cost $2,000 
to erect it. The following are the names of the original members : 
Samuel Rush and wife, Mr. Elwell and wife, Mrs. B. K. Purkey 
and Mrs. Samuel McDonald. Revival meetings have been held 
by Revs. Dunham, Martin, AVorman, AVagner, Smith and Pease, 
which resulted in additions to the church each meeting. The 
growth has been continual and steady, both in numbers and 
spirituality. The following have served as pastors : Revs. J. 
Dunham, S. K. Coats, I. A^alentine, A. AV^orman, N. A. AA^alker, I. 
AVagner, and W. P. Pease, the present pastor. The trustees are 
W. H. Allen, Samuel Rush and Joseph Breiner. The present 
membership is fifty. Annual contributions, $450. Average sal- 
ary of pastor for one-fourth of his time, $150. A'alue of church 
building, $2,000; value ot parsonage in the town of Good Hope, 
$450. The average attendance of the Sunday school is fifty. 
Thomas Kellough, Class Leader, and George Torrence, Steward. 

Centre Chapel. — This Church was organized in November, 1875, 
by Rev. AV. P. Pease, and with the following thirty-six members : 
John Snook, Thomas Brooks, Henry Rodenbach, Andrew J. 
Hyde, George B. Hastings, Edith Snook, Sarah Brooks, Elias R. 
Smith, Cyntha Arbogast, Mary M. Hastings, Richard H. Paugh, 
Edwin M. Smith, Belle Smith, Eva Smith, John Snapp, Barbara 
Cinn. Snapp, David Hyde, Eliza Hyde, James C. Booth, Sarah 
Booth, George AV. Hudson, Rebecca Hudson, Simon Rutledge, 
Mercy Rutledge, R. G. Carter, Mattie Carter, Alatthew AI. Boden, 
Francis Boden, Jacob A^an Doren, Margaret A^an Doren, Catha- 



HISTORY OP^ m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 581 

rine Vau Doren, Harry Kodeiibach, Joseph Arthur, Elizabeth Ar- 
thur, Henry Hudson and J. W. Buckley. Since the organization 
the names of J, C. Barrett and Lizzie Robertson have been added. 
The growth of the Church since its organization has been more 
in the spiritual advancement of its members than in new addi- 
tions. The Church building was erected in 1876 on the southeast 
corner of section sixteen, Walnut Grove township. It is valued 
at $1,600; size, 30x42 feet. This Church, in connection with the 
following three United Brethren in Christ Churches, own a par- 
sonage in Good Hope valued at $450 : Willow Grove, Pleasant 
Gale and Jerusalem Churches. Center Church was dedicated 
December 10, 1876, by Rev. J. W. Hott, of Dayton, Ohio— Rev. 
W. P. Pease, Pastor. The average salary of Pastor is S125. The 
Trustees are George Hasting, Henry Rodenbach, Simon Rutledge, 
Thomas Brooks and Quintus Walker. Attendance at Sundav 
School, seventy ; collections, twenty dollars a year. 

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN. 

We are indebted to Rev. G. H, Schnurr, of Macomb, for the 
following sketch of this denomination. 

The Evangelical Lutherans da:te their organization from Octo- 
ber 31, 1517, when Luther nailed ninety-five theses (propositions) 
against the old church door of Wittenberg, which he proposed 
to defend ; they being directed against the papal abuses. In 1530 
the adherents of Luther, in defense of their faith, laid before the 
Diet at Augsburg a summary of their doctrines, which has been 
known as the "Augsburg Confession," and which has formed 
the foundation for all Protestant confessions. These ad- 
herents to, and defenders of, the pure Bible doctrine wished to be 
known simply as Evangelical Christians, but they were constantly 
called Lutherans in derision ; and since Luther restored the gos- 
pel to the people, they finally accepted the name as an honor, and 
joined it to their "Evangelical" designation. Doctrinally, the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church glories in being "tlie church of the 
Word," maintaining the duty of simple faith in the Word of God 
without regard to human philosophy or logic. She insists on the 
careful indoctrination of her young people in Luther's Catechism, 
a summary of Bible doctrines through lier pastors. In theologi- 
cal literature the Lutheran Church stands pre-eminently front in 
the ranks. 

H— 37 



582 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Her researches are acknowledged as the mest protonnd, and 
many of lier writers are the indispensable aids of every Christian 
scholar. Her progress in this country was much retarded on 
account of the less demonstrative character of her people when 
compared with the puritanic element coming from Kngland, and 
also by the transition from the various foreign tongues to the 
English language. For the last twenty-five years, however, she 
has increased at a niuch greater ratio than any other Evangelical 
denomination. She now numbers in this country, 54 synods, 
2,795 ministers, 4,822 churches, and 600,353 communicants. In 
this couuty the first organization was eftccted April 7, 1871, by 
the Rev. G. II. Schnurr, who located at Bushnell at that time. 
The said congregation held its services at the Jerusalem Chapel, 
three miles northwest ©f Bardolph. Another organization was 
effected in Bushnell and regular services held for one year ; but 
owing to present difhculties they were suspended, in the hope of 
more auspicious circumstances. In the space of a few years, sev- 
eral families having removed from the neighborhood of Jerusalem 
Chapel to the vicinity of Macomb, the question of transfer of the 
congregation to Macomb was agitated. The proper arrange- 
ments having been made, a meeting for that purpose took place 
at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Macomb, January 11, 
1875, where the congregation re-organized under the name and 
title of " Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church," and the old 
Congregational Church was purchased and refitted for Divine 
Services. 

In the meantime (July, 1872) another organization was effected 
five miles southwest of Macomb, and a house of w^orship erected 
conjointly with Methodists in the neighborhood, and called Salem's 
Church. These two churches, at Macomb and in Chalmers town- 
ship, arc still regularly served by their first pastor, and embrace a 
membership of eighty communicants. 

We have one Sunday school in Macomb (C. II. Kahe, Superin- 
tendent), and unite with others in a Union school at Salem church. 
There are connected with the two seven teachers, sixty-five 
scholars. Average attendance, forty-five. Contributed for cur- 
rent expenses, per year, S15; for benevolent purposes, S15. Pas- 
tor's salary, one-half the time, $325. Missionary' purposes, $50. 



HISTORY OF M DONOUGH COUNTY, 



583 



SUMMARY. 



The following table will show at a glance the relative strength 
of the clifterent denominations in the county, with the number of 
their churches, value of church property, annual contributions 
for all church purposes, number of ISunday Schools, pupils enrolled, 



average attendance and contributions 



Baptists 

Catholic 

Christian « 

■•'Christian 

Congregational 

Cnmberland Presbyterian 

Evanpelieal Lutheran 

Free Will Baptist 

German Baptist 

Methodist Episcopal 

Presbyterian 

RefoiTned 

Regular Baptist 

United Brethren 

Universalist , 

Grand Total 

■-'Called in derision "New Lights 



746 

350 

1,181 

120 

115 

332 

80 

82 

62 

1,374 

890 

104 

60 

330 

100 



87 5,876 $209,463 



a, o 



«29.250 
9,000 

22,100 
5,0u0 
9,500 

13,600 
1,500 
5,000 



56,450 

33,350 

6,600 



13,113 
5,000 



o P 

o 



88,490 
1,500 
7,200 

800 
1,800 
2,350 

400 
1,000 



10,380 
8,650 
1,665 



2,600 
1,000 



p 


>. 












o 




50 


WW 






(r> 


>■ 


f 


^ 


o 


Oi 


o 








y- 





815 
140 
1,190 
100 
120 
310 
72 
147 



1,870 
980 
100 



545 
150 



848,135 6,539 



625 

125 

777 

75 

90 

250 

45 

127 



1,431 

8;i0 

80 



370 
125 

4,9.50: 



8328 00 



416 00 
38 00 
37 00 

148 00 
30 00 
35 00 



876 00 
472 00 
45 00 



154 00 
81 00 

82,660 00 



584 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 



REMINISCENCES. 



HecoUections of John Wilson. — Until 1828, when I was married, 
I cannot say that I ever had a home. On the thirtieth day of 
October, 1828, I was married to Martha li. Vance by Ekler John 
Logan, with whom I yet live. 

When I commenced farming I had one horse and three cows. 
The first year I broke my land with a Barshire plow, a wooden 
aftair. I borrowed a wagon from William Moore, whe was just 
from Georgia. He went crazy soon afterward and was taken 
back by his friends. After this I made a wagon myself entirely 
of wood, the wheels of which were made solid and hewed out of 
a large tree. There being no iron about it, I had to keep it well 
soaped to keep it from being set on fire by the friction, I now 
had three calves, two of which I yoked together, and the third 
harnessed and used as a leader. With them I done my plowing, 
and hitched them to my wagon and done all my hauling of wood 
and rails, they being able to draw ten or twelve rails to the load. 
This wooden wagon I used for several years, going to mill with it 
and doing all my hauling. 

What little education I have I got after I was married. I got 
a United States spelling-book and a primer, and at night, while 
my wife was spinning, I would throw a quantity of brush upon 
the fire, having first placed in the fireplace a large back-log, and 
lying down on the floor, by the light given, I would study. I 
Avould do this after having worked hard all day mauling rails 
and other work. In this way I soon mastered my speller and 
primer and then took up the Bible, reading it through twice, 
when I thought myself able to read anything. By the same 
course of study I obtained a little knowledge of geography and 
arithmetic. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 585 

Game was very abundant in the early times, and wild animals 
were not uncommon, such as wolf, wildcat, fox, lynx, badgers, 
and even the black bear. Deer were very plentiful. The strength 
and powers of endurance of this animal are wonderful indeed. I 
once shot and crippled one, when the dogs attacked it and fought 
it a long time, until I got in another shot, when it jumped about 
twenty feet away from the dogs that were holding it, and fell 
dead. One morning I heard my dogs barking and went to see 
what was the matter, when I discovered they were chasing a little 
fawn. I caught it and carried it in my arms to the house, where 
it grew up as a pet. One day some strange dogs came around, 
and, frightening it, caused it to break one of its legs. I tied it 
■down for the purpose of fixing it, when it endeavored to get 
away. At last it gave a powerful leap and actually pulled itself 
in two, thus killing itself. 

I have an old Hint-lock rifle, one I traded for when I first came 
to the count}'. It was then an old gun and had done much ser- 
vice, but still to-day it is in as good order as it ever was, and as 
true as the modern breech-loader. As I roamed the wild forest, 
often this gun was my only companion, and it was always faith- 
ful. Many are the excitings incidents that could be related in 
•connection with it. A short time ago one of little grandsons de- 
sired to see me shoot it. To please the boy, I took the faithful 
old gun from its hook on the wall, and, as was my custom nearly 
a half centur}' ago, I threw it across my shoulder and started forth 
for game. AVe soon spied a squirrel in a tall oak. I took aim 
iiud fired. Though my hand was not so steady or my e3'e so keen 
as it used to be, I brought the little animal to the ground. 

I well remember quite an exciting fight I had witVi a lynx, one 
winter. During the day a good sized calf had died, and that 
night it snowed. While but doing chores the next morning, I 
noticed some tracks near the carcass of the calf which I supposed 
were made by a panther, knowing it must be somewhere near by. 
I called my dogs that they might trace it, but when they came 
they refused to go near it. I then went over to Vances after a 
couple of hounds which were glad enougli for a fight, and soon 
had the animal treed ; it was as large as a gray wolf and resembled 
one. I got my old flint lock and determined to have a fight. I 
shot its paw a time or two but it would not jump down from the 
tree. I then shot it in the bead knocking it down. The dogs 
would run up to it and each time would have great pieces of flesh 



5<S6 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

torn from their bodies by the savage animal. I thought I would 
help the dogs, so I got a club and waded in, when the lynx, dogs 
and myself had a lively battle, but we were too much for it, and at 
last killed it. For many years I kept the skin of this tierce lynx 
that had fought so hard for its life. 

Accommodations in Macomb in those early days were not so 
great as they are now. Wm. Shannon and myself were once 
summoned to attend court as witnesses, and when we arrived, the 
houses were all full and we could get no place to stop. We were 
compelled to go out of town a short distance, and crawl under a 
hay stack to sleep during the night. 

I used to raise large fields of cotton and Ave made all the cotton 
goods we used. I also raised flax, which we spun and wove and 
made into goods. We didn't buy many "store goods" then. 

I have on my place a log house built in 1829, now forty-eight 
years old, but we have out-grown it, and live in more modern 
style. 

I was born in Jackson county, Tennessee, November, 2, 1806, 
and am now seventy-one years old. 

Salem WoocW Reminiscence — To give some idea of the of the 
manner in which the early settlers reached this county, traveling 
over the almost boundless prairies and through the wild woods, I 
will relate my own experience. 

I left Erie county, Pa., May 28, 1828, and came to Terre Haute, 
Ind., intending going to Vandalia, then the capital of the State of 
Illinois. While in a store in Terre Haute, I met the Captain of 
a boat who told me he would take me to Vincennes, if I would 
work my passage. While Vincennes was no nearer Vandalia 
than Terre Haute, the country was l)etter settled, and I decided to 
accept his olfer. Arriving at Vinceniies, I at once started on foot 
to Vandalia, traveling one day thirty miles and passing but one 
house. At the capital I called upon the State Auditor and told 
him I wanted to pay my taxes on a quarter section of land, the 
same I now own and on which I have lived for forty-seven years. 
He asked me if I had any State paper, when I answered that I 
had nothing but silver. My taxes were one dollar and sixty cents. 
He took one" half of a three dollar bill, telling me to add ten cents 
to it and it would settle the bill. This he let me have for seventy- 
five cents. J therefore paid my taxes for eighty-five cents. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 587 

Being very anxious to reach McDonough county, I start- 
ed from Vaudalia late in the afternoon thinking to stop 
at a house I was informed was only six miles on the 
road. This house I reached just before sundown, where 
I found the woman sick and was refused admittance. I then had 
to trudge on six miles to the next house, endeavoring to make it 
in as short a time as possible. The night was very dark and a 
thunder storm came up and in a short time I was drenched to the 
skin. By the lightning's flash I noticed a point of timber some 
distance ahead, and reaching it gave several yells, thinking it 
possible some one might live there. I received no answer, and 
would feign have stopped there for the night, but was afraid to 
on account of the wolves, which were then in great numbers. I 
passed on, crossing a creek and coming to another open prairie, 
and after traveling some distance I was met by a pack of dogs. 
I called loudly for some one to take off the dogs, and my call was 
answered by a man, who kindly took me in. I asked for some 
bread, but this they did not have, and for a supper I had a bowl 
of milk. I then lay down on the floor in my wet clothes and 
slept soundly during the remainder of the night. In the morning 
I was directed to Beard's Ferry, now Beardstown, where I intend- 
ed to cross the Illinois river. There was but one house 
there at that time, although the town had 'been laid out. I 
came out into Schuyler county, where, on Sunday, I met 
several people going from Church. Of them I enquired 
of certain lands, telling the township, range and section. 
One of the party spoke up and said that he hatl the adjoining 
farm. This was William Pennington, who now lives in Emmet 
township, and who had come down to mill and was compelled to 
wait several days for his grist. He directed me on to Carters 
settlement, where I met for the first time Elder John Logan, the 
pioneer preacher. From this settlement I passed on to hunt my 
land, intending to stop at AVilliam Pennington's. On arriving 
near where I thought the place ought to be, I could find no 
house, no path, or any signs of life, until after a long search I 
heard a rooster crow. This led me to Mr. Pennington's house, 
which was then the only one in the township. I found my land 
beautifully located near the timber, which I thought would soon 
be cut away. 

There was a piece of land north of Crooked creek that I desired 
to see, and I told Mr. Pennington that if he would accompany 



588 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

me I would work for him as many days as he should be gone 
from home. He accepted my offer and we started out, having 
plenty of " corn dodgers" and pork to take along. Southwest of 
the present town of Macomb we came on to a number of wig- 
wams, from which the Indians had vacated but very recently. We 
crossed Crooked creek, where Bacon's mill was afterwards built. 
West of Macomb, after passing through the timber, which but few 
white men had ever trod, we came to a large prairie. Here we 
halted and could see nothing beyond. I told Mr. Pennington it 
was no use to go further, as I did not want the land thus situ- 
ated. So we retraced our steps and arrived at the home of Mr. 
Pennington the next evening. I thought it a beautiful country, 
but not enough timber to fence even a small portion of the vast 
prairie. 

Some years after this I carried eight bushels of wheat to 
Bacon's mill, on Crooked creek, to get ground, but on account of 
low water I was unable to get my grist. I came up from home 
after it two or three times, and still failed to get it. Being out of 
flour, I took my wheat to Ellisville, in Fulton county, and finding 
so many teams here before me, I knew my chances were poor, so 
I took my eight bushels of grain on to Rushville, where, after 
waiting a considerable length of time, 1 succeeded in having it 
ground. At Ellisville I met two four-horse teams all the way 
from Burlington, Iowa, and, like me, they had to go on to Rush- 
ville to have their grain ground. Such experience as this would 
terrify the modern farmer, but they are only a specimen of what 
the early settler had to undergo. 

Silas J. Creel's Reminiscences. — In 1838 I settled on a piece of 
Congress land, which was said at the time not to be in market. 
It was located in what was called the " Lost Township. " I built 
a house and cultivated a portion of the land, thinking I would 
soon be entitled to a pre-emption. Some years after Congress 
passed a new pre-emption act, in substance, that if any person, 
after its passage and approval, would build a house and move up- 
on its land, shall be entitled to pre-emption. This act applied to 
the farm I was already living on, so that if any one, according to 
the provisions of this act, had erected a house upon the premises 
and moved into it, they could have taken it from me, a proceed- 
ing that I did not care to have done. In order that I should com- 
ply fully with the act, I must move on and build. I therefore 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 589 

moved off the place, and with my neighbors, many ot" whom 
lived a great distance, went live miles to Spring creek, cut 
logs, hauled them up and erected a house in one day — fourteen by 
sixteen feet — in which 1 moved with my family, in strict compli- 
ance with the very letter of the act. I then went to Quincy, tiled 
my claim, and in live years proved up, got my deed, and hold it 
to this day. 

Robert L. Dark's Reminiscences. — I first came to McDonough 
county in 1829 and with my family camped upon Camp Creek. The 
Indians were then still numerous in the county and often came to 
our cabin. My wife could not rid herself of a natural fear of the 
red man, and desired to return to Schuyler county, from which 
we removed. To this I objected. Twice, while I was away, she 
packed up all our household goods, preparatory to starting, but 1 
returned just in time to stop all such proceedings. Business again 
called me away, and I had no sooner lett than she again packed 
up, and loading the goods on the wagon, with our two little ones 
she started for the vicinity ol Rushville. I met them a short dis- 
tance from the Schuyler county line and tried to prevail on her to 
return, but this time without avail. No amount of coaxing could 
make her change her mind. As "the mountain would not go to 
Mahomet, Mahomet would have to go to the mountain," so I went 
with her, and we settled near Rushville, where we lived about 
four years, and as a considerable settlement had been made near the 
present town of Industry, I again prevailed on my wile to go 
with me to McDonough county, where I settled on the farm on 
which I now live, on section 30, Industry township. I have 
never regretted so doing, notwithstanding we have seen hard 
times, yet we believe *'all is lor the best." 

Martha RasselVs Reminiscences. — My father, William Pringle, 
moved to this county in 1830, when I was a very young girl ; but 
I remember the occurrences of that day very distinctly. The 
"big snow" of that year comes to my mind just as vividly as if it 
was but yesterday. It was a terrible winter, indeed. For three 
long months we could hardly stir out of our house. 

My father settled west ol Macomb, near the old cemetery ; for 
a barn he used his his wagon, and sheltered his horses under the 
broad canopy of heaven, allowing them to graze around upon the 
prairies, they going out in the morning and home at night. 
Among the horses he had was one we called "Old Bill," who was 



590 HSTORY OP m'donough county. 

as white as the driven suow. One day, while the horses were 
out, the prairie was discovered on fire, and soon all returned in 
great fear but old Bill. The tire swept by, and old 'Bill came in, 
but now his color was entirely changed, lie being as black as coal, 
the tire having singed ofl' every bit of his hair. By careful treat- 
ment he was saved, but ever after this, when the smell of tire was 
in the air, he would scamper home in a hurry. 

Peter Hale w^as one of our near neighbors, he living on the 
site of the old grave yard. Sometime in 1830 one of his little 
girls fell into the tire and was burned to death, and was buried 
near by, she being the first person there buried. Truman Bowen 
was the second. When Mr. Bowen died there could not be found 
lumber enough in Macomb to make his coffin, and James Clarke 
had to give his wagon-bed for that purpose. 

About this same time a man named Thomas Morgan married a 
widow lady with a little girl about three years old. The liitle one 
had the chills and probably gave some annoyance to the man. One 
day be took her w^ith him to the woods to gather blackberries, 
and, as he said, carried along some coals to make a fire in case a 
chill should come on the girl. When he returned home the little 
one w-as noticed by its mother all stained with blackberries. Ex- 
amining her body, she found the inhuman wretch, her husband, 
had, with coals of fire, burned her body in a terrible manner, af- 
terwards staining it with berries to hide the mark. Peter Hale 
took the little one to his house where she lingered about three 
days, when she died and was the third person to be buried in the 
old grave yard. The wretch was arrested, and, there being jio jail 
at Macomb, he w^as taken to Pushville for safe keeping, from 
which he escaped and was never afterwards heard from. Thus 
the gallows was cheated out of a deserved victim. 

The storj of the "Lost Child," w^hich was published in Clarke's 
Monthly, in January, 1876, I well remember, as well as the dread- 
ful murder of John Wilson, which occurred in 1834. 

I was born in New Castle, Henry connt^', Kentucky, September 
19, 1824, and was married to Merritt A. Russell. 

James Jarvis's Reyniniscences. — To illustrate the difficulty the 
pioneers had in having their grain ground, I will relate an incident 
which occurred at an early day. There were no flouring mills 
running in our county, and we were compelled to go to Spoon 
lliver, Rushville, Vermont, and other places for that purpose. 
William Lawyer, r>avid Jenkins and myself took our grain to the 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 591 

mill at Vermont. On driving up 1 asked the miller, "What 
chance have we for our grinding?" lie replied, "We can do it 
in about three weeks." "Do you think you can do it that soon?" 
"Yes, if the mill don't break, I think we can." "Can we unload 
our grain, so as to feed?" "Well, you had better put it all in one 
wagon and feed in the other." "Can we drive in the lot for that 
purpose?" "I think you had better drive otf a little w^ays." 
"Don't you think we had better go to Beardstown or Rushville?" 
"You can do just as you please so far as I am concerned," and he 
turned his back onus and returned to his Avork; as independent as 
you please. But we were not to be bluiied otf, and thought, if 
possible to have our grain ground in less than three weeks, so 
when night come, instead of going to bed, we concluded to run 
the mill ourselves, which we did, and had our grist all ground 
before two o'clock A. M. On driving off in the morning with 
our flour the men who had been waiting many days for their grist 
were quite indignant to see how we had got ahead of them, but, 
then, wo were all right aud went home happy. 

J. W. Brattles Reminiscence. — In the summer of 1832, Thomas 
Adkisson, and John Gibson, from Morgan county, called on me 
to go out to Walnut Grove, to survey a new settlement which they 
designed to locate. We went out and surveyed the whole region 
of country, spending five days and camping out during the whole 
time. The men were greatly discouraged at the prospect, think- 
ing there was not enough timber in that township for the pur- 
poses of settlers, and therefore no considerable number would 
ever settle there; the consequences of which would be that their 
children would grow up without the influences of schools and 
meeting. They returned to Morgan county, but afterwards came 
back and settled in Industry township, this county, where there 
was more timber, and where they lived and died. 

While surveying this tract of countrj', we found a house which 
had the appearance of being lately built, but which was then un- 
occupied. Isaac Bartlett afterwards told me he built the house in 
the fall of 1830, with the mtention of moving in it; but having 
raised a crop on Spring Creek, which he desired to feed out before 
moving, he placed his aged parents in the new house, in order 
that he might hold his claim. This was in the winter of 1830-31, 
a winter that no old settler can ever forget, the like of which has 
never been experienced since. Others may probably have told 



592 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

jou of some of the horrors of that long winter. It is hard to 
descrihe. The elder Bartlett and his wife were in the cabin when 
the snow fell. They had with them a cow which provided the 
milk for their use. When the snow ceased falling, Isaac Bartlett 
took his sled, and hitching a yoke or two of oxen to it, started 
for the residence of his parents to bring them away, but the 
snow was so deep he could make no headway, and night coming 
on, he had to await another day, when he again made the 
attempt to reach them. It was five days before he finally got 
through. He found his parents without food of any kind, the 
cow dead, having died from hunger and cold, and his father in 
the act of dressing it for the purpose of eating. Having brought 
provisions with him, their immediate wants were supplied, and 
the next day all returned to Spring Creek. Such were some of 
the experiences of the early settlers in this county. 

llespectfully, J. W. Brattle. 

Martitia F. Harris' Reminiscences. — I was born March 20, 1814, 
in Adair county, Kentucky; moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, 
in 1830, and from thence to McDonongh county, in the following 
year, 1881. Was married before leaving Kentucky, to Alexander 
II. Harris, who died in 1861, and had one child born while living 
in Sangamon county, Illinois. We moved to the county in an ox 
wagon, and settled on the pJace where I am now living, four miles 
northeast of Macomb. We were very favorably impressed with 
the county, and thought we had a very good soil for cultivation 
but did not think those large prairies would ever be so thickly 
settled as they now are. 

Our nearest neighbors were old Fatber Harris, who lived half a 
mile northeast of us, and Joseph Smith, who lived three miles east. 
Land, at this time, was worth from $1.25 to $2.50 per acre ; the 
same will now bring |40 to $50 per acre. 

Macomb was our trading point, but it did not have the fine 
stores now in the place, nor did the merchants carry the stock 
now kept by the merchants of the place. 

The first sermon preached in our neighborhood was by Rev. 
William K. Stewart, of Macomb, a Presbyterian minister. The 
first couple married was James (3sborne and Ruth Smith. Ruth 
borrowed my mother's shoes to be married in. The couple'started 
the next morning on foot to the infair, which was near Industry, 
and stopped at my father's house on their way, to see if she could 



HISTORY OF M'iJONOUGII (T)UNTY 593 

keep the shoes until after the infair. She was barefooted, ami 
was carrying the shoes in her hand, and this on the twenty-fourth 
day of November, 1838. 

My daughter, Parthena Harris, was the first child born in this 
neighborhood, April 1,1835. The first death was Samuel Harris, 
my husband's l)rother. 

Sailing on the Prairie. — Thomas Camp, in 1849, settled near 
where the present town of Good Hope is situated. All north of 
him for many miles was one vast, unbroken wilderness, with not 
a house or dwelling of any kind, and also perfectly void of tim- 
ber, A few winters after his settlement upon the prairie, there 
came a heavy fall of snow, and upon the top of that a sleet of 
rain, which freezing, formed a solid crust on top, and over which a 
man could walk or slide. Mr. Camp thought he would have a 
good sleigh ride ; so taking a sled out several miles from his 
house, and rigging it up with quilts for sails, he jumped in, and 
there being a brisk northAvest wind, he was soon sailing over the 
prairies. The wind being so strong he could not lower his sails, 
although in a measure he was able to direct his course, and 
therefore, on arriving at home, he could not stop, but run into 
an out-house, wrecking his prairie schooner and almost losing his 
life. He never tried the experiment again, although he declared 
it was a perfect success. 



594 HISTORY OK m'donough county. 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

At a meeting called for the purpose of organizing an "Old 
Settlers' Association," held in Campbell's Hall in June, 1869, 
Major JohnM. Walker was called to the chair and a committee, 
consisting of J. M. Campbell, J. P. Updegraif and J. B. Kyle, 
were appointed to draft a constitution and requested to report the 
same at an adjourned meeting to be held on the fourteenth day of 
July, 1869, which meeting was duly held and the committee re- 
ported the followingconstitution, which was unanimonsly adopted 

CONSTITUTION. 

Article 1. All citizens of McDonough county, who have resided therein thirtj'-three 
years, or who have resided in the State of Illinois thirty-three years, and who are now 
residents of said county, by giving their names, place of birth, age, and residence, be- 
come members of this Association. 

Art. 2. The officers of the Association shall be a President, a Vice President for each 
township, a Secretary and Treasurer — whose duties shall be such as usually pertain to 
those offices — who shall be elected by a majority of the members present at each annual 
meeting, and shall hold their offices for one year, and until their successors are elected 
and qualified. 

Abt. 3. The above named officers shall constitute an Executive Board, who shall have 
power to call special meetings of the Association, to fill vacancies in the offices, when any 
occur, and shall have power to transact any business in the name of the Association 
which they may deem necessary during recess. 

Art. 4. The Secretary shall keep a fair record of the proceedings of the Association 
and Executive Board, in a book provided for the purpose, and therein to enter the full 
names of each member, place and date of birth, age, date of residence in Illinois, and 
date of residence in the county, present place of residence and occupation ; he shall 
give public notice of all meetings of the Association. 

Art. 5. The Treasurer shall hold all monies of the Association, and shall pay the same 
only on the order of the Executive Hoard, attested by the Secretary, and shall annually 
report the same to the Association. 

Art. 6. The Vice President in each townshiii shall be a committee to present the 
claims of the Association to the old settler citizens, and obtain their names and forward 
for record of membership to the Secretary. 

Art. 7. Any five members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum to do 
Ijusiness after notice duly given of a call-meeting of said Association. 

Art. 8. The meetings of the Association shall be held annually on the twenty-ninth of 
September, but the Executive Board shall have power to call special meetings at such 
times and jilaces as they may determine. 

Art. 9. The Executive Board shall designate a badge of membership to be worn by 
each member at all meetings of the Association. 

Art 10. This Constitution may be amended at any annual meeting of the Association, 
or an adjourned meeting by a vote of two-thirds of the members present. 



HISTORY OF JI'dGNOUGH COUNTY. 595 

Meetings ot the Assoeiatiori have been held annally ever since 
the adoptiou of the foregoing constitution, with the exception of 
the year 1875. Although there has not been that interest mani- 
fested in the meetings of the Association their importance de- 
serves, they afford considerable pleasure and satisfaction to those 
participating in the annual re-unions. We append below as com- 
plete a list of old settlers, those living in the count}' forty years 
and upwards, as we could obtain : 

John Alison, born January SI, 1820, in Washington county, Penn. ; came to McDon- 
ough county in 18:55. Resides on a farm in Scotland township. 

John L. Anderson, born March 28, 1815, in Adair county, Kentucky ; came to this 
county in 1831, For many years resided in Macomb, but at present resides in Bushnell. 

Andrew Alison, born in Washington county, Penn., in 1815 ; came to McDonough 
county in 1835, and settled four miles south of Macomb. 

Emeline Atkinson, wife of .J. H. Atkinson, born April 7, 1827, in Washington county. 
Kentucky ; came to this county with her father, William Willis, in 1830. 

James C. Archer, born in Casey county, Kentucky, December 25, 1812 ; came to this 
county in 1832. Lives in Bethel township. 

Robert Andrews, born in Washington county, Penn., April 12, 1811 ; came to McDon- 
ough county in 183i). Resides on section twenty-five, Eldorado township. 

J. H. Atkinson, born in Barren county, Kentucky, in 1822 ; and came to this county in 
1834. 

Larkin C. Bacon, born May 2, 1819, in Washington county, Tennessee ; came to Mc- 
Donough county in 1834. Resides on farm in Tennessee township. 

Lorina A. Banks, widow of the late Vandever Banks, born in Adair county, Kentucky, 
January 15, 1806, and moved to McDonough county in 1835, settling in Hire townshii), 
where she continues to reside. 

John D. Barber, born in Fairfield district. South Carolina, in 1799 : came to this county 
in 1729. 

W. T. Brooking, born in Union county, Kentucky, in 1824 ; came to McDonough in 
1834. 

J. H. Baker, came to this county in 1837. Resides in the city of Macomb. He was 
born May 8, 1817, in Chesham county, New Hampshire. 

H. R. Bartleson, born in Macomb, in 1839, where he still resides. 

Robert M. Bonham, came to McDonough county, January 9, 1839; he was born in 
Fleming county, Kentucky, March 2(5, 180(). Resident of Macomb. 

Jessie D. Bowen.bornin Franklin county, Ohio, October 19, 182G ; came to McDonough 
in 1831. Lives in Chalmers. 

Thomas Bullock, born February 13, 1794, in Downe county, Ireland ; came to Mc- 
Donough county in 183(5. Resides in Bethel. 

Robert Barber, born in Pulaski county, Kentucky, in 1822 ; came to McDonough 
county in 1829. 

Mary Black, wife of Henry Black, of Industry township, was born January 15, 1822, 
near Washington, Washington county, Pennsylvania, and came to this county with her 
father, Mr. Alison, in 1836. 

James W. Brattle, Ijorn June 16. 1795. in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, came to this comi- 
ty in 1831 ; residence in Macomb. 

Alexander H. Brooking, born in Clark county, Kentucky, in the year 1818 : came to 
this county in 1833 ; settled in Emmet township, now resides just north of Macomb. 

Thomas Caldwell, born in June, 1824, in the State of Kentucky : came to McDonough 
county in 1832. 

Mrs. Mary Clarke, widow of the late James Clarke, was born in South Carolina, on 
the fourth day of December. 1798 ; came to McDonough county in 1830 : resides with 
her daughter, Mrs. Franklin, in Macomb. 



596 HISTORY OF m'donougii county. 

C. S. Churchill, born in McDonough county, Illinois, April 25, 1H34, resides in Ma- 
comb, 

C. C. Clarke, born in M.acomb. November 24, 18.39, yet a resident of that city. 

J. S. Campbell, bt)rn in Washington county, Tennessee, in IHK; ; came to McDonough 
county in 18o(), and settled on section three. Industry township. In 18:50 moved to 
AValnut Grove township, and in 18(5.5 to his present residence in Sciota townshiii. 

Nelson Campbell came to the county in 1835, and settled on Camp creek, seven miles 
south of Macomb, in Scotland township. "Was born in Cook county, Tenn.. in 1814. 

Harvey T. Chase, born May 5, 17!)7, in Sullivan county. New Hampshire ; came to Mc- 
Donough county in 183(5. Kesidence, Macomb. 

James Clark, born August 14, 1825, in Washington county, Virginia : came to this 
county September 25, 183.5. Resides in Scotland township. 

William B. Clarke, born in Washington county, Kentucky, March 31, 1819, and with 
bis father, James Clarke, came to Morgan county, Illinois, in 1829, and to this county in 

1830. Mr. Clarke resides in the town of Sciota, of which he is the founder. 

Hugh Conner, born in Jefferson county, Tennessee, in 1809 ; came to this county in 
1833, settling in Blandinsville township. 
]y John A. Crabb, born in Montgomery county, Virginia, November 20, 1828 ; came to 

this county in 1836, and has since resided in Macomb township. 

William Cannon came to the county in 1833. Resides in Macomb. He was born in 
Washington county, Kentucky. 

Charles Creel, born in Adair county, Kentucky, August 17, 1807 ; settled near Wolf 
Grove, this county, in 183(5. 

Silas Creel, born in Adair county, Kentucky, in 1818: came to McDonough county in 
1833 ; settled at Wolf Grove, now known as Bardolph. 

John Charter, born in Washington county, Kentucky, in 1829, and came with parents 
to this county in 1833. 
>/ WiUiam E. Crabb, born in Clinton county, Ohio : came to McDonough county with his 

father, John M. Crabb, in 183(5 ; resides in Macomb township. 

William H. Dawson, born in Adair county, Kentucky, in April. 1829; came to the 
county in 1832 ; resides in Macomb. 

Isom David, of Eldorado township, was born in 1819 in Hardin county, Kentucky ; 
came to McDonough county in 183(5. 

James Dora thy was born in Edwards county, Illinois, in 1825, and emigrated to this 
county in 1835, and settled on section eighteen. Hire township, where he still resides. 

Margaret Elting, widow of the late Philip Elting, was born in the county of Fer- 
maua, Ireland, in 1823 ; came to America in 1825, and to this county in 183(5. settling in 
Macomb. 

Hugh Ervin, born in Augusta county, Virginia, August 19, 1810 ; came to McDonough 
county in 183(5 ; now resides in Macomb. 

Geo. W. Eyre, born Septambar 20, 1812, in the State of Pennsylvania: c.ims to this 
county in 1837, Residence in Macomb. 

Orsamus Farrington, born January 2G, 1811, in Meggscounty, Ohio : came to this county 
in 1830. 

Moses Foster, born in Davis county, Indiana, in 1811: came to this county July 4. 

1831. Settled in the southeast corner of the county. 

M. C. Foster, came to this county from Pennsylvania, in 1834, and settled south of 
Middletown. 

Wm. H. Franklin, born .June 13, 1813, in Mercer county, Kentucky : came to Macomb 
October 25, 1839, where he still resides. 

J. N. Foster, born in Dubois county, Indiana, February 8, 1829 ; came to this county 
with his father, A. J. Foster, in 1831, who was the first to settle Eldorado township, locat- 
ing in the northeastern part; his sons H. W., W. D. and S. J., all have made McDonough 
their home, and live in the neighborhood known as Foster's Point. 

Charles W. Fulkerson, was born October 14, 1822, in Tennessee. He came to this 
county, in 1832, residing on section 29, Tennessee township. 

John W. Fugate, born in West Virginia in 1817 ; came to the county in 1834, and settled 
on section thirty, Bethel township. 



IIISTOUY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 597 

James Fiilton. born in 1804, in Fleming county, Kentucky ; came to McDonough county 
in 1830, and Bettled in Macomb township. 

John Gilfrey, Sr., born in Pliilailelpliia county, Pennsylvania, in 1793: came to this 
county in IH.itJ. Mr. Gilfrey was one of the early settlers of McDouough, and was well 
and favorably known all over the county. He died in 1874, in Blandinsville t^jwnship, 
where he had long resided. His widow yet lives on the old homestead, enjoying compar- 
atively good health at the ripe old age of eighty-iour. 

Mrs. Flora Gates, born in Lexington, Kentucky, April 17, 18();5; came to this county in 
IHS.'i, and settled in Chalmers township, llesides in Bardolph. She is the mother of 
Thomas K. and John M. Wilcox, well known residents of the county. 

Thomiis M. Gilfrey, born in Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania, in 1820: came to this 
county in 1880. llesides on a farm in Blandinsville township. 

David Glenn, born in the State of Virginia in 171)3; came to McDonough county in 
1833. 

S. F. Greenup. Place of birth. Monroe county. Kentucky, in 183"). In 1836, with his 
father, John Greenup: came to McDonough county and settled in Pennington's Point. 

Charles W. Greenup came to this county in 183(5. "Was born i:i Monroe county, Ken- 
tucky, in 182i>. 

William Greenup, born in Monroe county, Kentucky ; came to this county in 1836 with 
his father, John Greenup. Resides in Scotland townshij}. 

Nathaniel Grigsby, born in Hardin county, Kentucky, May 8. 182.5, and came to this 
county in 1830. 

Kedman Grigsby, born in Prince William comity, Virginia; in 1800, came to this 
county in 1830 ; residence in Blandinsville township. 

Silas J. Grigsby. born in Hardin county, Kentucky, in 1823 ; came to McDonough 
county in 1830; residence, Blandinsville. 

George G. Guy came to McDonough county in 183G, and settled on section 20, Em- 
met township, where he still resides ; was born September 2, 1808, in Adair county, 
Kentucky. 

Cynthia A. Hall, wife of David Hall, was born February 6, 1322, in Washington coun- 
ty, Kentucky, and came to this county with her father, William Willis, in 1830 ; resides 
in Sciota township. 

•John T. Hagerty, born February 8, 1817, in Harrison county, Kentucky : came to the 
State in 1830 and the county in 183.'> ; now resides in Macomb. 

William S. Hail. Macomb, born in Simpson county, Kentucky, April lit, 1818; came to 
this county in 183(). 

John S. Holliday, born .January 2."), 1811, in Galitan county, Kentucky ; came to this 
county in 1832 ; resides in Lamoine township. 

Demothenes Hamilton, born April 13, 1811, in Bockbridge county, Virginia ; came to 
this comity January 6, 1835 ; residence, Prairie City. 

S. Hamilton, born in Adair county, Kentucky, in 1828; came to the county and settled 
on section four, Macomb townshijj, in 1831. 

James E. D. Hammer came to McDonough county in 1833. Was born in W^ashington 
county, Tennessee. April 28, 1809. 

William Hardesty, born in Hamilton county, Illinois, in 1819 ; came to this county in 
1830. 

Victor M. Hardin, born in Washington county, Kentucky, in 1812 ; came to McDon- 
ough county in 1834. Besides in Blandinsville. 

Advice Hays, born October 4, 1798. in Limtie county. South Carolina : came to the 
county in 1830, settling in Industry township. 

John H. Hays, born in Hire township in 1836, near the place in which he now resides. 

Mrs. Sarah Hagerty came to this county in 1827. Was born in Lafayette county, 
Indiana, June 18, 1822, Wife of John T. Hagerty. 

Stewart F. Hammer, born in Monroe county, Marsh 31, 1831 ; came to this county in 
1834. Besides in New Salem. 

Durham Harris, born in McDonough county, December 22, 1832 : resides in Macomb 
township. 

11—38 



598 HISTORY OF m'donougii county. 

John H. Head, Washington county, Kentucky, phice of birth, in the year 1812; re- 
moved to this county in 1831. 

Charles Hill, born in Hardin county, Kentucky, in 181G : came to this county in 1830 ; 
settled on section twelve, Lamoine township. 

John M. Holmes, Mound township, was born August 7, 1818. in Green county, Ken- 
tucky ; came to McDonough county in 1835. 

Charles C. Hungate, born in Washington county, Kentucky, in 1812, and came to 
McDonough county in 1833 ; was one of the early County Commissioners and County 
Judges. 

Harrison Hungate, born in Washington county, Kentucky, in 1810; came to this 
county in 18;)3 ; resides in Blandinsville. 

Caroline Hunter, born in Washington county. Kentucky, April 7, 1827: and came with 
her father, William Willis, to McDonough county in 1830 ; residence in Macomb. 

Samuel A. Hunt, born in 1817 in Washington county, Tennessee; came to this county 
in 1831. liesidence, Bushnell. 

Preston Huston, born in Blandinsville township in 183fi ; living there to the present 
time. 

Rigdon Huston, born in Blandinsville township in 1833 ; still resides in that town- 
ship. 

W. M. Huston. M. D., born in the county in 1828 ; resides in Blandinsville. 

John M. Jackson, born October 11, 1825, in Orange county. Virginia : came to McDon- 
ough county November 11, 1836 ; residence in Bardolph. 

James N. Jackson, born in Forquer county, Virginia, in 1830 ; came to this county with 
his father, Wm. H. Jackson, in 1836, and settled west of Bardolph. 

William J. Jackson, born in Forquer county, Virginia, April 15. 1872 ; came to the 
county in 1836. Settled at Wolf Grove. 

James Jarvis, born in Madison county, Kentucky, August 1, 1812 ; came to the State in 
1829, and to the county in 1837. Besides in Tennessee township, 

John E, Jackson, born December 16, 1811, in Mason county, Kentucky; came to this 
county in 1837, settled near Middletown. Besides now in Tennessee township. 

N. H. Jackson, born in Orange county, Virginia, October 13, 1831; came to the county 
with his father, William H. Jackson, in 1836. Besides in Bardolph. 

Charles Kepple, born in Virginia in 1823 ; came to this county in 1834. Lived with his 
father one mile south of Bardolph. 

Robert Kepple born in Virginia, October 12, 1812: came to this county in 1832. Re- 
sides in Mound township. 

William H. Kendrick, born in Scott county, Kentucky, SeiDtember 10,1813: came to 
this county 1839. Residence now in Macomb. 

Dr. James B. Kyle, came to McDonough county, January 10, 1835. He was bom in 
Miama county, Ohio, September 20, 1808. Resides in the city of Macomb. 

Michael Lawyer, came to McDonough county, in 1837, settled on section 34, Tennessee 
townshiji, where he yet lives. He was born September 16, 1798, in Virginia. 

John Ledgerwood. born in Knox county, Tennessee, December 17, 1810 : moved to this 
county in 1836, and located on section seventeen, Emmet township. 

Nancj' Logan, born in Green county, Kentucky, January 13, 1802. and with her late 
husband, Elder John Logan, came tn this county in 1828. 

Samuel C. Logan, born October 24, 1822, in Simpson county, Kentucky : came to Mc- 
Donough county in 1828. Resides on a farm in Hire township. 

Margaret Morrow was born June 22, 1826, in Rhoan county, Pennsylvania, and came 
to McDonough county in 1834. Wife of Samuel Morrow, of Scotland township. 

John McCormack, an early settler of Bethel townshiiJ, was born in Maryland, August 
21, 1789, and came to the county in 1835. 

Edward McDonough, born in this county on the fourteenth of Ajiril, 1832; resides in 
Macomb. 

James McMillan, of Scotland township, was born in Washington county, Virginia, 
August 14, 1822, and came to McDonough county September 25, 1835. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 599 

Jolin Lilian, Jr., I) )rn (^.'tobsr l:>, 182t. in Dubois county, Indiana ; oarae to this 
county iu the early part of 182H with his father, the Kev. John Logan. Mr. Logan now 
resides on farm in Sciota township. 

Evan Martin, born iu Indiana, 1797. and came to McDonough in 1834 ; resides in 
Hire township. 

A. Y. McCord, born in Overton county, Tennessee, in 182.5 ; came to McDonough 
county in 1832, and settled in Emmet township. 

Samuel McCray, born in Warren county. Ohio, 181G : came to this county in 183G ; 
settled near Macomb. 

B. Mason, born in 1814, in Tennessee ; came to the county in 1836 ; settled on section 
twenty-eight. Bethel township. 

Benjamin L. McClure, Prairie City, born March 1. 1804. in Cumberland, Kentucky : 
came to this county in 1834. 

Michael McDonald, born in Boone county, Illinois, in 1829: came to this county in 
1836 ; residence, Bushnell. 

William McKamy, born in Tennessee in 1810. emigrated to this county in 1834, and 
settled on section live. Industry township. 

William Moore came to the county in 183"), and settled on section thirty-one, New 
Salem township. Born in Monroe county, Kentucky, in 1802. 

Samuel F. Morris, born in North Carolina in 1816 ; came to McDonough county in 
1836, and settled in section thirty-six, in Lamoine township. 

George W. Mustain, born in the State of Virginia in the year 1832 : came to this 
county with his father the same year. Besides on a farm in Blandinsville township. 

James A. Mustain. born in Pittsylvania county, Virginia, in 1829; came to McDonough 
county in 1832. 

Nathaniel Mustain. Place of birth. Pitt.sylvania comity, Virginia. Born in 1819, and 
emigrated to this county in 1832. 

Benjamin F. Naylor, bom in Adair county. Kentucky, March 15, 1801, came to this 
county in 1833, and settled in Macomb. 

John Patrick, born in Fayette county. Kentucky, January 1, 1810, and came to this 
county in 1835. Settled in Bethel township, and laid out Middletown. He resides in 
Macomb. 

Robert Peck came to this county in 1822, and resides in Industry township. He was 
born in Hardin county, Kentuckj-, April 24, 1824,. 

Catherine Painter, born in PeniLsylvania in 1804, came to the county iu 1831, and set- 
tled on Spring creek. 

Richard Pennington. l)orn in Monroe county. Kentucky : in 1814, moved to McDon- 
ough county in 1830, and settled on Camp Creek, now Peimington's Point, where he has 
resided ever since. 

Thomas J. Peimington, born March 15. 1810, in Monroe county ; Kentuckj-, came to 
this county in 1830. Mr. Pennington was one of McDonough's early settlers, and all 
through his life labored earnestly for the prosjierity of the county. He ser\'ed as a sol- 
dier in the Black Hawk war. For many jears he represented Industry township in the 
Board of Supervisors. He was esteemed as a worthy citizen by all who knew him. 
He died in 1876. 

Alfred Penningto7i, born in Schuyler county, Illinois, in 1827 ; came to the county with 
his father (William Pennington) in 1828. Resides in Emmet. 

Perry Penningtini. born in McDonough county, July 29, 1828 ; lives in Emmet town- 
shiji. 

George W. Provine was born May 5, 1813, in Clark county, Indiana. Came to this 
county November 20, 1835. Resides in Scotland township. 

William H. Phelps, born in Mercer county, Kentucky. April 20, 1819 ; came to Macomb 
in 1836. 

Margaret Phelps, wife of William H. Phelps, was born in Green county, Kentucky, on 
the thirty-fii-st day of October, 1819, and came to McDonough county with her father, 
Samuel Russell, in the year 1831. 

William B. Pile, born December 11, 1811, in Adair county, Kentucky ; came to McDou- 
<»ngh county in 1833, and resides in Industry township. 



6(X3 HISTORY OF m'donough county. 

AViraham I'owers. born in South Harviircl. Vermont, in 182.") : came to this county in 
18H4, and settled in Eldorado" township. 

James C. lioberts. born December It), IHli;, in Courtland county. New York : came to 
Macomb in 18;>7, where he still resides. 

G. E. Kobinson, born in Bond county, Illinois ; came to this cimnty in IS'M with his 
father, Matthew B. Kobinson, who was born in North Carolina in 17!*"). Settled on sec- 
tion thirty-six, Bushnell township, and was the first person to make a home in the town- 
ship. 

Darius Runkle, born Febriiary 10, 1813, in Champagne county, Ohio: came to McDon- 
ough county in 1887, antl resides in the southern part of Industry township. 

Hiram Russell, born in Green county, Kentucky. October 14. 181(1 ; came to McDonough 
county in 18;!1. 

John L. liussell, born December 8, 1808, near Campbellville, Green county, Kentucky : 
came to McDonough county May ,'>, 1832. Settled on and improved the '"JackGash" 
farm, one mile west of Macomb, for which he paid S|1.2.") per acre. 

Mary liussell, wife of John L. Russell, born near Springfield, Washington county. 
Kentucky, May Ifi, 181(), came to this county with her father, Wm. Willis, in 1832. who 
settled three miles southwest of Macomb. 

Merritt A. Russell, born March 1), 1815, in Green county. Kentucky, came with hLs^ 
father, Samuel Russell, to McDonough county in 1831, settling just west of Macomb. 

David SeyV)old, the subject of this notice, was boiii in Washington county, Kentucky, 
in 1805; emigrated to this county and settled in Blandinsville township in 1830; lived 
and died uj)on the old homestead entered forty-seven years ago. He departed this life 
August 1S>, 1877, aged seventy-two years, seven months and nineteen days. Thus the 
sturdy pioneers are one by one leaving us. 

James Seybold was born in Washington county, Kentucky, in 1816. and came to this 
coTinty in 1830. 

Joshua Simmons, born in Halifax county, Virginia, in JSOO; came to this county in 
1835; settled on Spring creek. 

S. C. Simpson, born in Tennessee in 1811, came to McDonough county in 1835; loca- 
ted in Macomb. 

James B. Smithers, born December 27th, 1823, in Adair county, Kentucky; came to 
this county in 1833; residence in Macomb. 

Thomas T. Smithers, born January 2!), 1830, in Adair county, Kentucky; came to Mc- 
Donough county in 1833; now resides in Macomb. 

William W. Stewart, born August 15th, 1820, in Todd county, Kentucky: came to the 
State in lJi2!), and to the county in 1839; resides in Walnut Grove townshii). 

Jeremiah Sullivan, born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, February 18th, 1817; 
came to this county May 2, 1835 ; resides in Scotland township. 

George A. Taylor, born in -Henry county, Virginia, January Ifi, 1809; came to McDon- 
ough county in 1833; has held several county offices, among which were those of Sheriff 
and Supervisor: well known and universally respected; now lives in Industry, 

G. W. Thompson, of Bushnell township, was born in New York City in 1824; came to 
McDonough county in 1837, and settled on section twenty-five, where he now resides. 

John Twidwell, i)orn January 20, 1818, in North Carolina; came to this county in 
183(>: located on section thirty-three, Lamoine township. 

Thomas Twidwell, born in Virginia in 1791: emigrated to McDonough in 1830: settled 
in section twenty-three, Lamoine township. 

Iverson L. Twyman, born November 29, 1814, in Barren county, Kentucky; came to- 
Macomb in 1836, where he still resides. 

Eleanor Vance, born in 1814, in Wilson county, Tennessee, and came to this county in 
1830, and settled in Industry township. 

Benjamin Vail, born May 12,1813, in Ohio; came to this county in 1834; resides in 
Macomlj. 

Benjamin Waddle, born in Tennessee township, this county, in 1833; his father, John 
Waddle, came to this county in 1 833. 

John Mont. Walker, born April 29, 1819, in Adair county, Kentucky: came to this 
county in June of 1833. 

James R. Ward, born in Washington county, Kentucky, in 1823; came to this county 
in 1833: resides in Blandinsville. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 601 

Horace Ward, honi in Washiiif^ton count}'. Kentucky, in the year 1H28; came to thw 
county in 1883; residence, Blandinsville. 

W. F. W'ayland. horn in Carroll county, Kentucky, in 182:5; canie to McDonough 
county November !), 18;J2. and settled in ChalmerH township. 

Thomas K. "Wilcox, Scotland township, was born July 7, 18,53, in Fayette county, Ken- 
tucky. Came to McDonough county Ai)ril.''). 18:5.'). 

James "Williams, born September 18, 1811, in "Washington county, Kentucky ; came 
to this county in 18:54. llesidesin Hire township. 

Quintus Walker, l)orn in Adair county, Kentucky ; came to McDcmough county in 
18:50 and settled in Industry township, and was among the first settlers in "Walimt Grove 
township, where he still resides. 

Andrew H. Walker came to this county in 18:>0, and fen* many years has resided on 
section sixteen. Walnut Grove townshij). He was born in Adair county, Kentucky. 

Alexander Walker, born in Adair county, June 2i(. 1824 ; came to this county with hLs 
father. Cyrus Walker, in May. 18:5:5. Kesides in city of Macomb. 

James Willis, was born January .'5. 1819. in Washington county, Kentucky, and came 
to this county with his father. William Willis, in the early part of 1830. liesides in 
Macomb. 

John C. Willis, born in Washington county, Kentucky, November 22, 1824, and came 
to this county in 18:^0. Now resides in the city of Macomb. 

Martha K. Wilson, born in Jackson county, Tennessee, in 1804 ; came to this county 
in 1827 with her father, .James Vance, and settled in Industry township. Was married to 
John Wilson, October 30, 1828, being the first couple to marry in the county. 

Thomas F. Wilson, born hi Washington county, Kentuckv, in 1822 ; came to county 
in 1832. 

William S. Wilson, born in Washington county, Kentucky, in 1820, and came to this 
county in 1833. 

D. D. AVoods. born in Erie county. Pennsylvania, in 1821 ; came to McDonough 
county in 1831. 

Salem Woods, born in Madison county, New York, June 4, 1799. Visited this county 
in 1828. to look at the land he had bought the previous year. Did not move until 1831. 
He is now residing on the land he bought in 1827. 

WilUam S. Woodside. born in Washington county. Virginia, and came to McDonough 
county in 1833. 

James A. Woodside. born in Washington county. Virginia ; came to this county with 
his father. J. W. Woodside. in 1833. liesides in Blandinsville township, on a farm. 

John M. Wilcox, born in Carroll county. Kentucky, March 19, 1826 : came to thLs 
county with his mother in 183(5, and lived in Chalmers township. Mr. Wilcox now re- 
sides on section thirty-one, Mound township. 

James Williams came to the county in 1834. He was born in Washington county, 
Kentucky. September 18, 1811. Resides in Hire township. 

C. Wilson, born in Casev countv. Kentuckv. June 11. 1832. Came to this county in 
18:^4. 

Edward Woods, born July 4, 1832 in this county. Kesides on a farm in New Salem. 

Mrs. Mary Yocum, wife of the late Stephen Yocum, born in Sumner county, Tennessee, 
in 1808. Came to the county in 1833. Settled in section nineteen. New Salem tjwnship. 



602 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 

MISCELLANEOUS, 

The foUowino; items ot information are of a general cbaracter^ 
and, for convenience, are grouped together in one chapter : 

STREAMS OF THE COUNTY. 
Crooked Creek. — What may i^roperly be termed the head waters of Crooked Creek are 
hard to-determine. In Prairie City townshi^j rises a small stream which has been known 
for fifty years as Drowning Fork of Crooked Creek. This stream passes down near the 
town of Bardolph, where it is joined by another fork, and the two combined form 
a considerable stream, which has been given the name Crooked Creek, from 
its being in fact what its name implies. In all the old maps published this 
stream is known as Lamoine river — a French word meaning The Monk. It 
is generally surmised, though not certainly known, that in the very early settle- 
ment of this country, when the French Catholics occupied it for the purpose of con- 
verting the Indians to the Catholic religion, the priests gave it this name. In the orig- 
inal field notes of the United States survey for McDonough county it is marked Lamine 
river. In its tortuous course through the county it passes through the townships of 
Prairie City, Bushnell, Macomb, Emmet, Chalmers, Tennessee, and Lamoine. In the 
early days a great many mills were erected upon this stream, but all have been torn down 
or left to the decay of time. 

Camp Creek. — An early settler camping upon the banks of this stream one entire sum- 
mer gave the origin of this name. The head waters are in New Salem township, where 
it passes on through Scotland, Industry, a^ij Bethel townships, uniting with Grindstone 
creek in the latter, and the two merging into Crooked creek near Lamoine. 

Orindstone Creek. — This stream was originally named Turkey creek, from the fact 
that at certain seasons, large flocks of wild turkeys were found there. A party of men 
from Schuyler county, finding upon its banks a good quality of stone for grindstones 
gave it its present name. Its head waters are in Eldorado township. It passes through In- 
dustry, and joins Camp creek in Bethel township. 

Troublesome Creek. — This is a small stream having its rise in Scotland townsliip, from 
whence it passes through Chalmers, touching Tennessee, and then into Lamoine town- , 
ship, where it joins Crooked Creek. A government surveyor, after making vain efforts 
to effect a crossing, remarked that -'it was the most troublesome stream he ever saw." 
Its banks are almost perpendicular its entire length, although the stream is but a few feet 
wide, and without bridges, it is a very "troublesome creek."' 

^prinf/ Creek. — This is another small stream rising in Sciola township, i)a8sing 
through Emmet, joining Crooked creek on the line dividing the two townships. As its 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 



G02 



name implies, its origin or source is from springs bursting forth from the earth. 

Among other creeks of small size are Sugar and llock creeks, the former commencing 
in Eldorado township and passing out on the south. Name given, it is supposed, on 
accoimt of the number of sugar trees on its banks. Kock creek rises in Hire, and is so 
named on account of its rocky bottom, though running through the prairie. 

MatrimonidL — The subject of matrimony has always been an interesting one to the 
human race since the days of Adam to the present time, and doubtless will be until the 
angel shall stand with one foot upon the sea and the other upon the land and cry, "Time 
was, but time shall be no more." As showing how the subject has been dealt with here, 
we append the following statistics in relation to the number of marriage licenses issued 
each year since the organization of the county : 



Year. 


No. 
issued. 


Year. 


No. 1 
issued. 1 


Year. 


No. 
issued. 


1830 


1 
12 
11 
17 
24 
24l 
39! 
39 
52 
44 
68 
57 

i 

52! 
511 


ISJfi 


1 

63: 

70' 
78 

•?; 

66 
105' 

91[ 
119 
124' 
12l| 
178 
183 
192, 
190 
1651 


1862 


182 


lail 


1847 

1S48 

1849 

1850 

1851 

1852 

1853 

1854 


1863 

1864 

1865 

1866 

1867 

1868 


176 


\^A2. 


233 


1833 


271 


1834 


356 


1835 


314 


1836 


331 


1837 


1869 

1870 


270 


1838 


248 


1S39 


1855 

1856 

1857 

1858 

1859 


1871 


275 


1840 


1872 


251 


1841 


1873 


234 


1842 


1874 


279 


1843 


1875 


273 


1844 


1860 


1876 


246 


1845 


1861 







The above furnishes a grand total of 6,580 marriage licenses issued by the various 
clerks. Of the number some two or three were returned marked as executions placed 
in the hands of an officer are sometimes done, "not satisfied." , "Barkis'" was not always 
"willin." The greatest number issued in any one year was in 1866, the year after the 
close of the war. The "boys in blue" came home to fulfill vows long previously made. 



TABLE OF DISTANCES. 



The following table gives the distances by rail and wagon roads from Macomb, to the 
various towns in the county. The distances by railway are from the depot building in 
Macomb, to the depots of several towns ; the distances by wagon road are from the court 
house to the post office of each town. 



FROM MACOMB To— 



Rail 
Road. 



Wagon 
Road. 



Bardolph 

Bu.shnell 

I'rairie City... 

Colch>'Ster 

Tennessee 

Ilillsgrove 

Colmar 

Scottsburg-^' ... 
Good Hope*... 

Sciota* 

Blandinsville* 
Adair*.. 



New Pliiladelphla*. 

Walnut Grove* , 

Industry 

Middlelowu 

Doddsville 



11'.; 

9'.; 
m<i 

15' t 
16 

20'.; 

24,'.;; 

30>.J 

21 

17'.. 

17'.: 



s 

15 

2-2^ 

11 V4 
13% 
18 

10% 
7 

15 
12 
13 
17 
12 
10 
14 



Via Bushncll. 



604 



HISTORY OF M'DOXOr(;iI COUNTY. 



M DONOUGH COUNTY POETS. 

We had intended a chapter on the above theme, but the difficulty in securing sufficient 
data was greater than we anticipated, therefore we have to forego the pleasure. The 
most of the contributions for our local papers have been anonj'mously written, but we 
find several gems among the number that are worthy a jilace in its history. Following 
we give a poem by A. K. Owens, Esq., written at our request which speaks for itself : 

M'DONOUGH COUNTY'S PIONEERS. 



B Y A . K 

•• Of all the;dear hopes among men, 
'I'hese are the sweetest in life ; 

A luijio ti)r sulvrttiou —and then 
A hiiifu; — for my child— for my wife." 

I. 

Coming out from the distant east, 

Out from the ocea)i's strand, 
Away from old (Miio's beech, 

Out from the Blucgrass land. 

II. 

Coming down from the sunny sloiies 

Of Virginia's mountains, 
The rocky dales of Old Vermont, 

Massachusetts' fountains. 

III. 

See— here a man, and there a man 
From glen, and dell and bay. 

With oxen, wagon, gun and hounds 
All wcstwarti take their way. 

IV. 

And now beside a grassy mound 
They're tenting on the green ; 

The thin blue smoke, where they are 
camped. 
Above the trees is seen. 

V. 

The night is gone ; the early morn 

Salutes the coming day : 
In dreams, last night— new hopes were 
born ! 
Again they're on their way ! 
VI. 

With faces to the setting sun, 
Their kin, their loves behind ; 

Their hope, their aim, their object one, 
Each, in each heart enshrined : 
VII. 

For nature's wish in ev'ry heart, 

Though often it may roam, 
Is still to have some hallowed spot 

That heart may call "Sweet Iloine." 
VIII. 

Then, what was toil, or, what was strife 

To sturdy souls like those 
Who saw the forest yield new life 

And blossom as the rose ? 
IX. 

Who saw the prairies robed in green 

Put on new life again ! 
I^eague after league their lands were seen 

In waves of golden grain. 
X. 

They heard the red man's barb'rous 
yell- 
Triumphant roll along, 

But, soon the hill-top and the dell 
Broke forth in Christian song ! 



XI. 

And where the little cabin stood. 

Half hid by shady bough. 
Stands towering up above the scene 
The stately mansion now. 
XII. 
And where the dark I>luc smoke arose 

From camp-fire's burning brands, 
Queen City of the Pioneers 
Macutub, in beauty stands. 
XIII. 
And, so in pride we gaze upon 

Her spires and her domes. 
We'll not forget the hands that raised 
Our humble childhood homes. 
XIV. 
But, as the days grow old and die ; 

As summers come and go, 
Our hearts return to oth>^r scenes. 
Of "Forty Years" ago! 
XV. 
To sugar camp where boiling down 

The garnered sap, again 
We listen to the deep mouthed hound 
(Close followed by the men) 
XVI. 
Cry long and loud upon the track 

Of some poor wounded deer, 
Whose doom is sealed— the rifles crack! 
Ah ! hear the hunters' cheer! 
XVII. 
The chase is done — the trophy won ; 

And breakfast waits at dawn ; 
'Tis syrup stored— in thin scraped gourd, 
"Corn bread," and roasted J'awii. 
XVIII. 
No days are there like "early days," 

No real joy since then: 
Time robs us of our happiness 
As we lose faith in men. 
XIX. 
O blessed sports ! O by-gone years, 

O'er you old hearts yearn, 
And as our eyes grow dim with tears, 
To sadder scenes we turn ! 
XX. 
To grassy mounds, long years o'ergrown, 

By thicket and by thorn. 
Where, precious dust, our loved, ourown. 
Sleep till the coming morn. 
XXI. 
For many of the Pioneers 

Are camping on the shore 
Of death's dark deep, who.se tide of yeain 
Will wake them never more! 
XXII. 
Though some remain, tl.eir locks of gray 

Admonish us that still 
They're drifting from us day by day, 
Adown life's sunset hill. 
Sevkn Hii.i.s, Ills., March '20, 1877. 



HISTORY OF M'DONOUCiH COUNTY. 605 

PAUPERISM. 

The following facts relative to pauperiam in the county will be found of interest : 
Since August 11, IHOo, one hundred and twenty-two persons have been admitted to 
tlie almshouse. Of this number 78 were born in the United States, 18 in Ireland, 4 in 
Germany, 1 in England. 8 in Scotland, 2 in Canada, 1 in Sweden, 2 in Denmark, and the 
nativity of 4 unknown. During this period .5 of the inmates have died and 83 dis- 
charged, leaving there at the present time 34 persons. In 1876 there were admitted 2a 
persons, and up to the first of August, 1877, a number still larger, viz, 29. The largest 
number admitted during any one month was in June of the present year (1877), when 10 
were received. For the year 18G3 only 1 was admitted; 3 in 1804; none in 186.') or 
1866 ; 3 in 1867 ; none in 1868 or 1869, and but one in 1870. Of the whole number ad- 
mitted, 85 were males and 37 females. The oldest perBon admitted was Charlotte 
Bacon, colored, the only one of her race ever received. At the time of her admittance, 
which was in February, 1864, she was 97 years old. She died February 5, 1876, at the 
very old age of 109, having a greater age than any person that has ever lived in the 
county. She came to McDonough county in 1832. The oldest man ever received waa 
Joseph Wheeler, admitted October 13, 1872, at the age of 77 years. He is yet an inmate. 
The oldest man now there is John Scissils, who was admitted January 1, 1864, and is at 
present 87 years old. 



606 HISTORY OF m'D0N0U(;H (OUNTY. 



CHAPTER XL. 

MACOMB. 

When John Baker erected his log cabin near where the high 
school building" in the fourth ward now stands, little did he think 
there would spring up around it a busy little citj, with all its 
varied industries. Time, in its unceasing round, brings many 
changes, and the wild prairie land, with its beautiful flowers, the 
perfume of w^hich was w^afted upon every breeze, is now dotted 
over wnth home-like residences, from the lowly cottage to the 
stately mansion — the homes of those who have prospered in this 
life. Elegant buildings, filled with products gathered from the 
entire world, surround a beautiful temple of justice; while the 
sound of the hammer and hum of machinery are heard upon 
every hand. 

Having a population which entitled them to the benefit of the 
act which authorized the organization ot counties, in the year 
1830 the citizens of McDonough voted to organize. The present 
site of Macomb, being the centre of a county that was square, 
was selected as the place of meeting of the newly-elected Board 
of County Commissioners. On the third day of July in that 
year, the Board met and resolved, that "the present seat of justice 
be at the house of John Baker, and that for the present the same 
be known as the town of Washington." 

In December, Hon. James Clarke, one of the County Commis- 
Bioners, went to Springfield and entered the southwest quarter of 
section 31, in township 6 north, range 21 west. The Legislature 
of the State, about the same time, passed the following act, which 
was approved by the governor : 

AJ^ ACT to tdahliKli a perinanent scat cf JiiKticc for the County of McDonovgh. 

Section 1. Jie it enacted by the People of the State <f Illinois, rtprexented in the Gen- 
eral AsfHcndily, That the County Seat of the County of McDonough he, and is hereby 
permanently established on the southwest quarter of section 31, in township 6, north of 



HISTORY OF M'dONOUGH COUNTY. ('tOT 

range 2 west, and that the Commissioners of said county are hereby authorized to pur- 
chase the said quarter section of land of the United States, as provided by the laws of 
Congress ; and that the name of said County Seat be called Macomb. 
Appeoved December 24, 1880. 

Thus the town of Macomb was brought into existence. For 
several months our fathers persisted in spelling it McComb, all the 
original records having it thus written. As will be surmised, the 
town was named in honor of General Macomb, who commanded 
the land forces in conjunction with Commodore McDonough, the 
commander of the naval forces, at the battle of Lake Champlain. 
General Macomb was for many years the second military officer 
in the nation — General Scott ranking first. 

By reference to the foregoing act it will be seen that Macomb 
was made the permanent county seat of McDonough county, and 
we are told by early settlers that every lot sold in the original 
town was with the stipulation that such was the case. When the 
(luestion of removal of the county seat was agitated a few years 
ago, it was then argued by some that it could not be done, as the 
conditions on which the lots were sold were such that damages 
could be secured from the county by the holders of lots for a vio- 
lation of contract. How true this may be can be determined by 
reading the act. 

The first sale of lots in the town was in May, 1831. Eleven 
sales were made before the entire quantity was disposed of, by 
which was realized $4,903.55, The cost of the same was |186,88, 
therefore netting $4,816,67, The assessed value of this same 
property is now over $600,000. 

In 1831 a considerable increase to the inhabitants of the town 
was made. In the spring of this year James M, Campbell erected 
the first store building in the county, about sixty feet south of the 
residence of John Baker, The building was of hewn logs, cov- 
ered with boards, with a puncheon floor. It was in size 18x18. 
The stock contained in that store was a wonder to behold ! A 
conglomeration of dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, 
hardware, iron, nails, queensware, groceries, and the inevitable 
barrel of whisky, occupying a prominent place, and quite handy 
to the thirsty customers of the store, Moses Ilinton and G, E. 
liobinson shortly after erected a building on the northeast corner 
of the square, to be used for general trade. This was a portion of 
the building long known as the "checkered front," and which now 
stands on the corner of Ivandolph and Carroll streets. James 



€08 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Clark, who had ii[) to this time heeu living a little southwest of 
Macorah, erected a log house on the corner of West Jackson street 
and the square, to he used as a tavern. Originally it had but two 
rooms in it, but others were added from time to time. The 
8t. Elmo now occupies the site of this old tavern. Al- 
though the "accommodations for man and beast," so far as 
lodging was concerned, was limited, the culinary department was 
excellantly managed. Wild game was abundant in those days, 
and the "bill of fare" always contained venison, turkey, quail, 
prairie chicken, rabbit, squirrel, etc., and the bread baked in 
those old covered skillets cannot be beat for sweetness. A "tav- 
ern," or "hotel," has always stood upon that site, and thousands 
of weary travelers have found a comfortable resting place there- 
in, and a hearty welcome. 

At a special term of the County Commissioners' Court, held 
March, 1836, a plat of the town was adopted, by which the lots 
were to be 60x120 feet. At a special term held in April following, 
the order was revoked, on petition of citizens, and another plat 
was adopted, which is now on record on page six, Record of Deeds, 
in the office of the Circuit Clerk, and marked plat number one. 
By this one, the lots were made 60x174, and twelve lots to the 
block. This last plat was made by J. M. Campbell, after the pre- 
cise plan of the town Frankfort, Kentucky, Mr. Campbell's native 
place — the only town with which he was acquainted, and which 
he supposed a perfect model. Had he been aware that it could 
have been done, we have no doubt the location of the streets run- 
ning east and west would have deen different, and streets would 
have been run each side of the square on the north and south, as 
on the east and west sides. James Vance, one of the Count}^ 
Commissioners, was opposed to any change in the plat, and en- 
tered his protest on the records, but without avail. Lots 60x120 
feet were large enough in his estimation. 

John J. Keaton was appointed to make a survey of the town, 
according to the plat adopted, for which he was to receive thirty- 
live dollars. I)avid Clarke and John Baker were employed by the 
County Commissioners to carry the chain, for wdiieh they were 
allowed fifty cents per day. 

Keaton's survey proved unsatisfactory ; and in 1834, J. W. 
Brattle, for many years County Surveyor, was employed to make 
a new one, and also to make out and file a new plat, according to 
the survey which he should make. Mr. Brattle performed the 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 009 

■woi'k to the satisfaction of the Commissioners, who received and 
adopted his report, a copy of which is recorded on page 428 
Ilecord of Deeds, as plat jSTo. 2. Mr. Brattle found many of the 
corners wrong, and they so remain till this day, the County Com- 
missioners at that time being afraid to alter, as it would invalidate 
ths sales of lots already made. 

In the early days, court week was the time chosen by the yeo- 
manry of the county to come to town and have a little fun. By 
way of preparation, the grocery keeper laid in an extra supply of 
the "ardent" for the occasion, as he expected a run of custom, 
the profits of which would last him for somxc time, the whisky 
then, as now, having the efiect of making, some quiet, others 
jovial, and some " roaring mad." Fights were of frequent occur- 
rence, but generally of a friendly character — that is, alter the 
light was over, and one of the parties vanquished, no further ill- 
feeling was allowed, and the defeated party treated the crowd. 

The advent of a circus always brought a crowd. People came 
from every nook and corner of the county, and while broad smiles 
played upon their countenances at the prospect of listening to the 
funny sayings of the clown, they spent their hard-earned money. 
Who can say they did a wrong? AVithout newspapers, M'ithout 
telegraphs, without railroads, with a thinly settled country, with 
none of the means of enjoyment afforded at the present day, their 
life was indeed hard, and the necessity of a little relaxation and 
amusement, even if only that afforded by the silly jokes of the 
professional harlequin, was an absolute necessity. 

Until the j^ear 1841, the town of MaQomb was governed by the 
Board of County Commissioners. In this year an act of incor- 
poration was passed by the Legivslature granting legislative pow- 
ers to a board of five trustees. The limits of the town were made 
one square mile, with the public square of Macomb as its center. 

The first school houses in the town were erected in the year 
1846, James M. Campbell securing subscription from the citizens 
for the erection of one west of the square, and William S. Hail 
one east of the square. The houses were eighteen by twenty- 
eight feet, and built of brick. The one in the west was on the 
present site of the Baptist Church, and the otherwhere the Third 
Ward school house now stands. Schools had been held previous 
to this for many years, but these were the first buildings erected 
exclusively lor school purposes. Mr. Campbell built the third 



610 HISTORY OK M'l>ONOU(iH COUJSTY. 

house \i\ the following year on West Jackson street, near where 
it is crossed by the railroad. 

AY. & II. Ervin l)uilt the first brick store. Lawsou, Parrott k 
Co., built the tirst three-story brick, on the site of the First Na- 
tional Bank building. Campbell k Garrett the thinl, the one now 
occupied by Loven Garrett as a grocery store. 

The Methodist Episcopal brethren erected the tirst church 
building, in 1836. 

In 1857 cholera raged for a time in the town, striking terror to 
the heart of many. Men, strong and hearty in the morning, laid 
in tliG embrace of death before night. Had it not been for a few 
brave, strong hearts the death rate would have been far greater 
than it was. These men, at the risk of their own lives, went to 
the house where death had entered and quietly removed the corpse 
and buried it without giving notice of the sad event to the terri- 
fied citizens. In this way the fears of the people were kept 
within bounds. This, we believe, w^as the onlj^ real epidemic that 
has ever visited this town. 

Macomb was incorporated as a city in 1856, bj^ the adoption of 
a charter similar to that of the city of Quincy. The first election 
was held on the eighth day of November in that year, and re- 
sulted in the election of John O. C. Wilson, as mayor, and James 
M. Campbell, alderman first w^ard, Joseph McCroskey in the sec- 
ond, William II. Randolph in the third, and Samuel G. Cannon 
in the fourth. These gentlemen were elected tor six months, or 
until the annual election, the first Monday in May. It has now 
been twenty years since its organization, and in that time no city 
of its size has made more permanent improvement, and none en- 
joys a better reputation. Its credit has always been first class, 
and its bonds would doubtless command a premium in the mar- 
kets of the east. We learn from the Mayor that he is constantly 
in receipt of letters of inquiry from the capitalists of the country 
in reference to its bonds, but he has only one answer to make and 
that is it has none in the market, that the city is governed on the 
principle "pay as you go." No bonds have ever been issued by 
the city, save in the instance of the erection of the high school 
building in the second ward, and of these only about $4,500 are 
now outstanding, and these would be redeemed if presented for 
payment. Not being due the parties prefer the interest which 
they draw to the face of the bonds. This shows conclusively 



HISTORY OF m'donough county. GU 

that tlic tiiiancieriiig of the city fathers has been excellent. A 
glance at the list of officers given in this article will show a good 
reason for this state of affairs. 

Notwithstanding the city has never been prodigal in its ex- 
penditures, it has yet never been niggardly. Improvements are 
constantly being made. During the past year (in 1875) gas has 
been introduced and lamp posts have been erected at all the prin- 
cipal corners and crossings adjacent to the business part of the 
city. A regular police force was organized in 1874, since which 
time there have been but very few instances of house-breaking 
in the city and two hundred dollars will probably cover every loss 
from this cause. More than one incipient fire has been stopped, 
and in the whole time but one fire obtained such headway be- 
fore discovery as to be impossible to extinguish it. The loss in 
this fire did not exceed ^200, it being the burning of a small barn. 

One of the duties of the police has been the arrest of all sus- 
picious characters. ISTone are allowed to remain in the city more 
than one night. Should a tramp make his appearance in the city 
he is at once escorted to the calaboose it night is approaching, or 
is immediately warned away if in the early part of the day. 
During the year over three hundred were provided with lodging 
and hurried off bright and early the npxt morning. In one night 
during the past winter twenty-one of this genus were entertained 
with food and lodging. The care given this class will account in 
a great measure for the safety of our citizens from the visits of 
burglars. 

One important thing the city yet lacks, and that is a well or- 
ganized fire department. It has so far in its existence been very 
fortunate in escaping the ravages of the fire fiend, but there is 
always danger, and that danger should be provided against. 
Business men more than pay each year in additional insurance 
the cost of maintaining an excellent and well-oflicered company. 

The sanitary condition of the city has always been excellent — 
no epidemic, save the one mentioned, ever visiting it. The 
Board of Health has usually consisted of three physicians, repre- 
senting various schools of medicine, with the mayor as an cx- 
officio member. 

The city works over thirty miles of street, and nearly the same 
in sidewalks, and has a large number of bridges and culverts to 
build and keep in constant repair. 



612 HISTORY OF M'DONOlKiH COUNTY. 

The average expenses tor all purposes are about |17,000, $9,000 
of which are for the schools, and $8,000 for all other expenses. 
During the past year, $"21,000 were collected, $4,000 of which 
were to be applied to the payment of bonds then due. As there 
is an assessment amounting to $1,500,000, this will make a little 
less than one and one-half per cent., which is the highest rate 
ever paid in the city. 

In relation to the standing of the city, we may say it never has 
to go abroad to borrow money. Capitalists at home arc ever 
ready and willing to advance all that is needed. No bond has 
ever yet been presented that was not promptly paid. 

Although but one railroad passes through its limits, tlie city 
has ever been willing to aid every practicable railroad project. 
In 1857, at the annual election, $25,000 was voted to the Rock 
Island and Alton Railroad; but as the road was never built upon 
the line projected (making Macomb a point), the monej' was never 
called for. A road giving an eastern outlet, or competing line 
east, would doubtless secure considerable aid from the city. 

Some of the peculiar advantages presented by the (;ity of Ma- 
comb may be summed np as follows : 

Public Buildings. — ISTo city of its size in the west can present 
finer public buildings. Among others we may mention the court 
house, which was completed in the year 1870, and which stands 
in the centre of the public square, and can be seen from every 
high eminence in the county. The building is of red brick with 
limestone trimmings, and is tire-proof throughout. From its 
dome a view of the surrounding country is had as far as the eye 
can reach. JSText, we mention the business houses. These are 
superior to those ot any city ot its size in the State. Brick blocks 
almost entirely surround the square, many of them possessing a 
very handsome exterior and interior appearance, and all of good 
size and adapted to the trade ot the place. Among the number is 
a handsome opera house capable of holding about twelve hundred 
persons. The school houses are the pride of the city, there being 
two large and handsome structures, with accommodations for 
about fourteen hundred pupils. One of these is situated in the 
Second Ward, and the other in tlie Fourth, or in the eastern and 
western parts ot the city, and both known as high school build- 
ings. The eastern one cost complete, including furniture, some 
$•30,000, while the western one, built at a later day, when material 
and labor was cheaper, about $20,000. The tirst was erected in 




FOURTH WARD SCHOOL BUILDING, .MACC)>n 



IIISTOUY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 013 

1865, the city issuing its bonds for a term of years for §20,000 of 
the amount. Of this only about $4,000 remains outstanding. 
The second building was erected in 1874, and every dollar ot the 
entire amount paid, the city creating a sinking fund for that pur- 
pose, aiul having in the treasury every dollar before the comple- 
tion of the work. Two large hotels grace the square, one on the 
east and the other on the west. The Baptists, Congregationalists, 
Presbyterians, Universalists and Methodists have each good church 
buildings, the others being of but little value. 

Mercantile Trade. — The mercantile trade of Macomb is greater 
than any city or town of like size and character in the State. In 
dry goods, as large and varied stocks are kept by the dealers 
as those in cities five times its proportions. The reputation en- 
joyed by the dealers for selling their goods at bottom figures, is 
such that their trade extends for miles around, even taking in por- 
tions of the adjoining counties. In groceries the same can also be 
said. We would here call attention to the business notices of 
some of the leading firms elsewhere found in this work. Statis- 
tics of the trade may also be seen. 

Stock Trade. — There have been shipped in the last four years an 
average per year of 237 cars of hogs and 125 cars of cattle from 
this place, which we regard as a very good showing, considering 
the many shipping points around it. 

Grain Trade. — There are about 300 cars of grain shipped per 
year, or an average of one car per working day. 

Manufactories. — A goodly number of manufacturing establish- 
ments are in the place, affording employment'to a large number 
of hands, and doing much to advance the interests of the place. 
These manufactories are noticed under appropriate heads else- 
where. 

Public Schools. — This is another matter in which the citizens of 
the place take an especial pride. In 1866, on the completion of 
the high school building in the second ward, Prof. TI. 11. Smith 
was employed by the Board of School Directors, as Principal, at 
a salary ot .51,500, per year, to take charge of our schools. Tiiis 
was a new departure, and bitterly opposed by some of our citizens, 
who thought it an outrageous sum to pay a man for only six hours 
work per day, as tliey said. "When Mr Smith began his work he 
introduced the graded system, and also effected au almost entire 
H— 39 



614 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY, 

chanf^c in the text books then in use. This compelled the purchase 
by many of a number of new books, and the setting back of 
many scholars in some of their studies, in order that they might 
conform to the grade. This created additional excitement, 
each parent denying the right of the teacher to set his child 
back, thus compelling a review of a study already gone over. 
Many complaints were made to the professor, and for days he was 
interviewed hourly by indignant parents. The expense of the 
purchase of new books was said to be enormous, when it was an 
undeniable fact it cost the majority of parents less money to buy 
the entire new outfit than it would have done had the old series of 
text books been retained — the new having been introduced at 
half price. But Mr. S. continued on the even tenor of his way, 
"being reviled, he reviled not again," knowing that in due time 
the system would be approved by all. The wisdom of his course 
has now been fully shown. For ten years the system has been 
tried and with the best results, and there is not a parent in the 
city that has given the subject any thought but will acknowledge 
it is the better way. There has been an average of twelve or 
fourteen graduates each year since the third, and the greater part 
of the teachers now employed in the schools of the city, or that 
have been employed for seven years, have been graduates. The 
€ourse of study has been as thorough as in any of the academies of 
the country. Prof. II. II. Smith continued as Superintendent for 
three years, succeeding in the perfect organization of every de- 
partment of the public schools. lie was succeeded by Professor 
M. Andrews, who occupied the position for five years, resigning 
the same that he might accept a like situation at Galesburg, in 
this State, at a higher salary. Mr. Andrews, without doubt, is 
•one of the most efficient Superintendents in the State, and success 
cannot but crown his efforts wherever he goes. His absence has 
been deeply felt in this city. Trofessor Shedd next succeeded, 
serving two years. He was followed by Professor C. C. Robbins. 
Professor Robbins has long been a resident of this city, but for 
several years past has occupied a like position in the public 
schools of Rushville, Knoxville, and other places, positions which 
he has filled to the satisfaction of his patrons. 

Churches. — There are ten Churches in the city, each endeavor- 
ing to point out the way of salvation ; the religious influence of 
the communit}^ is, therefore, of the best. The denominations 
represented are as follows: Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, Cath- 



IIISTORV OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 615 

olic, Christian, Cougregationalist, Universalist, Presbyterian and 
Lutheran. The Cumberland Presbyterians had formerly a fair 
congregation of believers, but for some years have held no service. 
The combined value of the Church property is about §50,000. 
The membership is about 1,300. Connected with their Sunday 
Schools are about 1,000 scholars. The schools of the city have 
quarterly conventions at the close ot every quarter of the Inter- 
national Sunday School Lessons, the meetings of which are quite 
interesting and profitable. Other statistics, under this head, may 
be seen in another chapter. 

Description of Hirjh School Buildixg in Second Ward. — This 
building was erected in 18G5, at a cost of $29,000. It is situated 
on the north side of Calhoun, between Dudley and Madison 
streets. The architectural design is plain throughout. The plana 
were drawn by G. P. Randall, of Chicago, and the work done by 
the cit}"-, superintended by W. O. Thomas. The building is 53x94 
feet, two stories, with basement, and contains six rooms 26x33 
feet, a chapel 48x50 feet, library room, closets, and halls. It is 
Jieated by steam, the engine for that purpose being in the base- 
ment. There are two entrances to the building, one each in the 
center ot the south and north sides. These entrances open into 
a hall, from which a stairway leads to the second story. The 
recitation rooms are each thirteen feet in height, while the chapel 
is sixteen feet, and all are well ventilated. The basement of the 
building is constructed of limestone and the main walls of red 
brick. A belfry arises from over the main entrance, in which is 
placed a bell weighing twelve hundred pounds. Although the 
building is not showy, it presents a neat, substantial appearance, 
and is an honor to the city. The accompanying illustration will 
give one a very good idea of its appearance. 

Description of School Building in Fourth Ward. — This building 
stands upon the corner of Washington and Johnson streets, and 
was erected in 1874 by W. O. Thomas, of Macomb, who was 
likewise the architect. Its entire cost, including furniture, &c., 
was about $20,000. It is quite showy, and yet neat and well pro- 
portioned. The basement is of limestone, while the main walls 
are of red brick. It is in height two stories, with basement. A 
finely proportioned belfry surmounts the main front, in which is 
placed a bell weighing 900 pounds. There are three entrances — 
one each on the cast, north and south sides. The recitation 
rooms, of which there are six, arc in size 25x33 feet; those on the 



616 HfSTOKY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

first floor being in heiglit 14 feet, while those on the second floor 
are 16 feet, each being provided with the best modern school fur- 
niture, and every appliance that would aid one in acquiring 
knowledge. The ventilation is well provided for, which will cer- 
tainly be acknowledged of great importance. The basement is 
used for storage, fuel and heating purposes, an engine being 
placed therein which heats the entire building. Everything in 
connection with the building is in good taste, and reflects great 
credit upon the city and its architect, W. O. Thomas. 

The record book, containing the proceedings of the Board of 
Trustees of the town of Macomb, is either mislaid or lost, so we 
have been unable to obtain the names of all the officers of the 
town. In looking over the old papers we discovered the poll 
books of several annual elections, and give the names of such of 
those we could find who were elected Trustees, and the year each 
served : 

1849- Win. n. Randolph, A. S.Bonham, C. A. Lawson, T. J. Beard, John P. Head. 

1860 — Win. H. Franklin, Richard W. Stephenson, John P. Head, Win. L. Broaddus, Joseph E. Wyne, 

Chas. Chandler, Wm. T. Head. 
]a52— B. R. Hampton, C. A. Lawson, J. M. Major, J. P. Updegraff, C. W. Dallam. 
185:}— Thompson Chandler, J. E. Wyne. J. L. N. Hall, W. S. Hendricks, J. M. Martin. 
1854— J. L. N. Hall, J. M. Martin, J. E. Wyne, Thomas J. Beard, C. A. Lawson. 
1856— Abraham Rowe, J. E. Wyne, T. J. Beard, J. L. N. Hall, Garrett Bonham. 

The following named gentlemen have served the city of Ma- 
comb in the ofiices named and for the years given. We begin 
the list with the city's organization, and include each year to 1877 : 

1856 — Mayor, John O. C. Wilson. Aldermen— 1 . M. Campbell, First ward ; Joseph McCroskey. Sec- 
ond ward ; W. H. Randolph, Third ward ; Samuel G. Cannon, Fourth ward. Clerk— Jl. E. 
Worsham. Attorney — H. E. Worsham. Marslial — G. L. Farwell. Treasurer — F. D. Lipe. 

\SJl— Mayor — J. P. Updegraflf. Aid ermeio— James Ciark, First ward ; Wm. L. Broaddus, O. F. Piper, 
Second ward ; Wm. H. Franklin, Third Ward ; T. J. Beard, Fourth ward. CVert— Carter Van 
Vleck. Attorney— C. Van Vleck. Assessor and Collector— 11. E. Worsham. Marshal— G. L. 
Farwell. Treasurer--G. W. Smith. 

IKSr—Mai/or—J. P. Updegraff. Aldermen— Chas. Chandler, First ward ; O. F. Piper, P. Hamilton, 
Second ward ; W. E. Withrow, Third ward ; W. P. Borrett, Fourth ward. Clerk and Attorney 
— L. H. Waters. Assessor and Oollcctor—J. H. Cummings. Marshal— Vf. L. Broaddus. Treas- 
urer — G. W. Smith. 

1.850— .Va!/or — James D. Walker. Aldermen— Joseph Burton, First ward ; Jo.seph E. Wyne, Second 
ward; George M. Wells, J. L. N. Hall, Third ward; Samuel G. Cannon, Fourth ward. 
Clerk and Attorney— (ieorgc Wells. Assessor and Collector— J. H. Cummings. Marshal — G. W. 
Smith. Treasurer— J. B. Cummings. 

1860— 3fa.vor— Charles Chandler. Alderman— W. H. Neece, First ward ; R. H. Broaddus, Second 
ward; J. L. N. Hall, Third ward ; H. F. Chase, Fourth ward. Clerk and Attorney— George 
Wells. Assessor and Collector— C. M. Ray. Marshal— G. W. Smith. Treasurer— \W. W. Provine. 

1(^)1- Mayor— J. B. Kyle. Aldcrmcn—John Knappenbcrger, First ward ; Iverson L. Tywman, Sec- 
ond ward ; T. M. Jordan, Third ward ; Loven Garrett, Fourth ward. Clerk and Attorney— 
George Wells. Assessor and Collector— C. M. Ray. Marshal— G. L. Farwell. Treasurer— W. W. 
Provine. 

IS^'l- Mayor— B. F. Martin. Aldermen— J. H. Baker, First ward ; Elisha Morse, Jr., Second ward; 
Lorenzo Clisby, Ihird ward; Wash Goodwin. Fourth ward. Clerk and Al/orney—GeoTg& 
Wells. Assessor and CoUcclor—C. M. Ray. Mars'ial— John Q. Lane. Treasurer— Vf . W. Pro 
vino. 



HISTORY OF M'dONOUGH COUNTY. 617 

1863 — Afaj/or— Edward A. Floyd, ^((fcrmen— Alexander Mcliean, First ward; R. L. Cochran, 
O. P. Piper, Second ward; W. K. Wilhrow, Third ward; S. F. Lancy, Fourth ward. 
Clerk aiid Attorney— Geo. Wells. Assessi/r and Collector— John L. Anderson. Ma<-8hal—J . I'. 
Updcgraff. Treasurer— W. W. Provine. 

1864— ifoyor —T. M. Jordan. .dJrfer/yien— Joseph Durr, First ward ; James Anderson, Second ward; 
Ivorenzo (Uisby, Third ward; John Penrose, Fonrth wanJ. Clerk— VI. E. Withrow. Attorney — 
C. F. Wheat. Asaessor and Collector — ChaunceyCii.se. Marshal — Chauncey Ca,se. Treasurer — 
M. T. Wiuslow. 

1865 — Mayor — T. M. Jo'dan. Aldermen— .] . W. Blount, First ward ; R. L. Cochran, Second ward ; 
J. P. UpdegrafT, Third ward; James Brown, Fourth ward. Clerk — W. E. Withrow. Attor- 
ney — C. F. Wheat. Asscasurand Collector — John E. Lane. Marnhal — John E. Lane. Treanu- 
rer— M. T. Winslow. 

186f — Mayor— J. M. Martin ; Aldermc7i-S. G. Wadsworth, Fir.st ward ; W. F. Bayne, Second ward; 
W. S. Hail, Third ward; R. J. Adcock and E. B. Hamil, Fonrth ward. Clerk— W. E. With- 
row. Attorney — C. F. Wheat. Assessor and Collector — John E. Lane. Marshal — John E. 
Lane. Treatfurer—M. T. Winslow. 

1867 — Mayor — T. M. Jordan. ^Mfj'mert— J. W. Blount and G. H. Bane. First ward ; R. L. Cochran, 
Second ward ; Wm. Venable, Third ward ; E. B. Haniil and John Shutes, Fourth ward. 
Clcrk—W. E. Withrow. Attorney— Ass. Malteson, Assessor and Collector — T. B. Maury. 
Marslial— Thomas Galfrey. Treasurer — M. T. Winslow. 

1868— ifaj/or— J. P. Updegraff. Aldermen— \V. H. Hainline, First ward ; O. F. Piper, Second ward ; 
Edward Wells, Third ward ; J. W. Mcintosh, F"ourth ward. Clerk — W. E. Withrow. Attor- 
ney— C V. Whc&t. Assessor and Collector— H.W. dash. ifars/iaJ- G. L. Farvs'ell. Treasurer— 
J. H. Cummings. 

1860— Mayor — Geo. K.Hall. Aliermen — J. T. Adcock. First ward; C. N. Harding, Second ward; 
Wm. Venable, Third ward ; T. L. Kendrick, Fourth Ward. OJerfc- W. E. Withrow. Attor- 
ney—Asa. Matteson. Assessor and Collector— i . W. Blount. ifars/iaJ— James A. Chapman. 
Treasurer — M. T. Winslow. 

1870— ifaj/or— J. E. Wyne. Aldermen— T . Chandler, First ward ; J. H. Cummings, Second ward; 
A. B. Chapman, Third ward ; J. Durr, Fourth ward. Clerk— ^. F. Lancy. Attorney--h. A, 
Simmons. Assessor—] . W. Westfall. Collector— C. C. Chapman. Marshal— John Scott. Trea- 
surer — C. V. Chandler. 

1871— Jfayor- J. M. Martin. Aldermen— B. F. Martin, First ward; John McMillan, Second ward; 
Thomas Gilmore, Third ward; J. W. Mcintosh, and S. F. Lancy, Fourth ward. Clerk— K. 
K. Bartelson. Attorney, Ira G. Mosher. Assessor, J. S. Gash. Collector— B. G. Wadsworth. 
3/ars/ia/— John Hillyer. Treasurer— Q. V. Chandler. 

1872— 3/ayor— Charles N. Harding. Aldermen— T. Chandler, First ward ; J. H. Cummings. Second 
ward ; William Venable, Third ward; James Gamage, Fourth Ward. Ciert— William E, 
AVithrow. yl«yrH«i/— William J. Franklin. Assessor— J. S. Gash. Collector— \S\i\is I. Twy- 
man. Marshal— John Hillyer. Treasurer— C V. Chandler. 

1873— Jfaj/or- Alexander McLean. .^Wcrmen—S. Ross, First ward ; R. L. Cochran, Second ward; 
F. R. Kyle, Third Ward ; W. J. McClellan, Fourth ward. Clerk— V.. P. Pillsbury. Aitomey— 
E. P. I'illsbary. j4s.s-cs.s-or— Hugh Ervin. Collector— T. J. Martin. Marshal— G. Cheatham, 
William A. Greer. Treasurer— C. V. Chandler. 

1874— Jtfayor— Alexander McLean. Alderme)i— John W. Cook, First ward ; J. H. Cummings, Second 
ward ; William Venable. Third ward ; James Gamage, Fourth ward Clerk— Ungh Krvin. 
Attorney— v.. P. Pillsbury. yl.s,scs.«or— Hugh Erviii. Co.Vertor— Henderson Ritchie. Marshal — 
Karr McClintock. Treagurer—C. V. Chandler 

1875— Ifaj/or- .'Alexander McLean. .4/der)nc?i— William E. Martin, First ward; J. E. Wyne, Second 
ward; C. N. Harding, Third ward ; D. M. Graves, Fourth ward. Clerk— O. F. JPipcr. Attor- 
ney— K. P. Pillsbury. Assessors. C. Reynolds. Co/ector— Robert Brooking, itfars/ia/— Karr 
McClintock. Treasurer— C, V. (;handler. 

1876— Jtfai/or— Alexander McLean. Aldermen— 'E. F. Bradford, First ward ; J. H. Cummings, Second 
ward ; D. Scott, Third ward ; James Gamage, Fourth ward. Clerk— O. F. Piper. Attorney— 
J. F. Franklin. Asse!>sor—ll. W. Gash. Collector— J. M. Martin, ifars/ia/— Karr McClintock. 
Treasurer— C. V. Chandler. 

1877— 3/aj/or— .\sher Blount. .AWcrmew— William Martin, First ward ; Joseph E. Wyne, Second 
ward; John McLean, Third ward; W. O. Thomas, Fourth ward. C/crt— Lewis E. Wyno. 
Atiorvey—J. II. Franklin, ^s-^csi-or- Hugh Erwin, Co/tetor— Henry Shetterly. Marshal— 
Karr McClintock. Treasurer— C. V. Chandler. 



618 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

From the McDonough Independent of Friday, February ^Tth^ 
1852, we extract the following : 

A SIDE GLANCE AT MACOMB. 

As there seems to be of late a spirit of rivalry springing up in different sections of 
this State, and especially so in regard to the growing prosperity of villages and county 
xeati, we deem it not out of place to give a statement of the different branches carried 
on in our town, which certainly cannot be excelled by any seats of justice, notwithstand- 
ing other neigboring villages call it a "one horse town.''^ The population at present is 
estimated to be about 1,000. The citizens are mixed — persons from almost every State 
in the Union ; we have a few Irish, English and German citizens among us, however : 
the majority of our citizens are natives of Kentucky and Virginia. In regard to the 
liberahty of our people, we not only challenge the State, but crtdtiini to excel them. 

We have here four Benevolent and Charitable Institutions, all in a prosperous condi- 
tion, viz. : One Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, one Union, Daughters of Temper- 
ance, two Divisions of the Sons of Temperance, and one section Cadets of Temperance. 
In regard to reHgious and intellectual advantages, we are not far behind others of our 
neighbors. There are several different denominations of Christians here, having three 
churches, one college with one hundred students, three day schools averaging one hundred 
scholars, one female seminary, having forty pupils, nine dry goods stores — average 
capital invested, about !|100,000 yearly — one drug store, one drug and book store, one 
hotel, several boarding houses, two clothing establishments, two family groceries, six 
practicing jjhysicians, several attorneys, two general land agency offices, one steam card- 
ing and fulling establishment, one bakery and confectionery establishment, one segar 
and tobacco manufactory, one steam flouring mill, two saw mills — one steam and one 
horse power — two extensive lumber yards, lots on hand, one tannery, three harness mak- 
ing shojis, two shoe and boot shops, two tailor shops, two merchant tailoring establish- 
ments, eight blacksmith shops, two plough-making shops, one carriage and wagon estab- 
lishment, seven carpenter shops, one furniture and cabinet shop, one chair manufactory, 
one bedstead manufactory, one wholesale and retail stove and tin store, one threshing 
and saw mill manufactory, one hat manufacturing establishment, one cooper shop, one 
printing office, with a large and extensive book and job office attached. No babbeb shop 
at present. There are in full growth and cultivation, iu and near town, four extensive 
nurseries, containing choice collections of fruit trees. 

By examining the above list of establishments in this place it will be readily perceived 
that our advantages are superior to many other and older inland towns, and, should the 
contemplated railroad be completed — taking the location of the county, the salubrity of 
the soil and healthy location — there will be no town in the military tract able to come in 
competition with us. In bringing up this statement we are actuated by no will of 
boasting, but merely to state facts as they are, and, if in our power, humble as it may be, 
of inducing mechanics and others to " seek first their own interests " and act accordingly. 
We have ample room yet left in our village, and we are confident that property holders 
here and throughout the county will dispose of land at a fair and reasonable rate to those 
wishing to buy. 

There is in connection with our town mail facilities, many of which are not afforded 
to other towns in Illinois. We have four weekly mails — two semi-weekly and two tri- 
weekly, and as honest an old " Boss " to superintend the post office department as can be 
" scared " up in the union. Macomb is situated in the centre of the county — the limits 
extending twenty-four miles across, and is equi-distant between the Illinois and Missis- 
sippi rivers, thus affording great inducements to travellers to visit us, and of receiving 
communications from distant friends. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 619 

We intend in future, if able to procure the necessary statistics, of publishing a true 
statement of the rise and history of McDonough county from its first survey and loca- 
tion, and also of giving statistics of each town within the county, population at present, 
manufacturing and mechanical advantages, etc., which each possess. 

In 1867 the city was made a Supervisors' District, and given two 
members of the County Board of Supervisors. Up to this time 
the city's vote was divided up into the four townships on which 
it is situated — Macomb, Emmet, Chalmers and Scotland. By an 
act of the Legislature this was changed, with the result as stated. 
The following named gentlemen have served on the board : J). G. 
Tunniclilf, James B. Kyle, B. R. Hampton, C. N. Harding, James 
M. Campbell, William Ervin, C. V. Chandler, W. II. Hainline, 
Thompson Chandler, James Gamage. 

The two eastern wards of the city elect a Supervisor, and the 
two western wards an Assistant Supervisor. The eastern part of 
the city being strongly Republican, always elects one ot that party 
to represent them on the Board. The western part, being Demo- 
cratic, sends one of that faith as their representative. The fact 
that several of the foregoing gentlemen have served two or more 
terms will account for the small number of names given. 

In the new City Directory, compiled by James W. Beasly, we 
find recorded 1,224 names ; counting three and one-half to each 
name, which is a very small estimate, we have 4,284 inhabitants 
in the city. There are twenty-four Smiths ; seventy-six whose 
names begin with Mc ; 164 beginning with S ; 149 beginning with 
W ; 147 beginning with M, and 112 beginning with C. 

Among the live firms in the city we would call attention to the 
following : 

Thomas Fhilpot. — This gentleman first established himself in 
business in this city in 1863. In company with D. W. Hawkins, 
Esq., he opened a gallery on the southeast corner of the public 
square, and almost from the first his success was established ; and 
from that day forward there never has been a time when he could 
not find plenty to do in his chosen profession. In 1871 he sold 
the gallery to another party, and removed to Galesburg, but only 
remained there a few months. Disposing of his interests there, 
he looked around for another location; visited several good towns 
and good cities throughout the West, and, finding he could do no 
better, returned to Macomb and fitted up a new gallery on the 
north side of the square, over the clothing store of S. J*. Dewey, 
and in one of the best locations in the city. Here his old patrons 



620 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGII COUNTY. 

returned in great numbers, and in a very short time he again en- 
joyed a run of work as large as ever. The secret of his success 
lies in the fact that he is a No. 1 artist, and has pride in the work 
which he does, whether it be a small gem or a large photograph 
finished in water color or in oil. No better work is done in any 
gallery, east or west, and satisfaction is guaranteed in every in- 
stance. Occupying a suite of rooms in the most eligible part of 
the city, we find them fitted up in a handsome manner, good 
taste being displayed in all things pertaining to their internal 
arrangement. It is really a treat to take a look through the gallery, 
examining the various specimens of work on exhibition ; whether 
a card photo or one of life size, excellence is written thereon. 
Mr. Philpot, as we remarked before, takes pride in the character 
of his work, and desires to give satisfaction to ever} one — and he 
will give it. Special attention is given to copying and enlarging 
old pictures. Mr. Philpot has made a specialty of this class of 
work for some years, and can take any kind of picture, however 
old or worn, and re-touch, copy and enlarge to any size from 8x10 
to 22x26 inches. Those desiring this class of work should not 
fail to call and see specimens and learn prices. Pictures finished 
in India ink or water colors, and at prices far below those of 
other galleries for the same grade of work. Visitors to the city 
should make it a point to drop in, see specimens, and leave their 
order. Gallery on north side of square, over McClellan's clothing 
store. 

Joseph T. Adcock. — Everybody knows Joe, one of the most pop- 
ular dealers in the city of Macomb. Coming to this city about 
the close of the war, and as soon as he recovered from wounds re- 
ceived in that "little onpleasantness," he opened a stock of gro- 
ceries and provisions, and from that time to the present he has 
engaged in the same line of trade, and, we are pleased to add, 
success has crowned his every effort. lie is now on the east side 
square, corner East Jackson street, and has in stock one of the 
finest stocks in the city. Joe always has his eyes and ears open 
and knows what is going on in the world, and everything in the 
grocery and provision line that the market aftbrds can always be 
found in his establishment. Clover, timothy and other grass 
seeds arc a specialty with him. Remember Joe T. Adcock when 
in want of any of the above named goods, and when having any- 
thing in the provision line you want to sell. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 621 

Welch & Thornton. — Few men, in the same length of time, 
have become better known and made more friends than the above 
named gentlemen. The senior member of the firm, Mr. George 
S. Welch, is a son of one of the first settlers of the county, but 
who only came to this city in the fall of 1874. Having previously 
had a taste of the book business, he desired again to embark in 
that line of trade, and at once purchased the stock and good will 
of J. C. McClellan, Esq., then in business on the northeast corner 
of the square. With characteristic energy he began to push, and 
soon had a run of custom of which he had reason to be proud. 
It was his determination that his establishment should be the 
"boss house." How well he has succeeded, let his numerous 
patrons testify. In 1876 he received as a partner Mr. Anthony 
Thornton, who for two years past had filled the position of 
County Treasurer in a very acceptable manner, and a man as 
much respected as any in the county. With capital increased the 
firm branched out more extensively, and in the spring of 1877 
purchased the large brick building which they now occupy, on 
the northeast corner. Their stock is at all times large and com- 
plete and worthy the attention of all. 

Martin k Sons. — The senior member of this firm began business 
in Macomb as a cabinet maker, and for a number of years 
manufactured all the furniture that he sold. That his work was 
iirst class many of the old settlers of the county will testify, and 
the well preserved specimens of bis work, in silent language will 
speak no less clearly and unmistakably. He brought to the 
town the first general stock of furniture, since which time he 
has been constantly engaged in the trade. He afterward received 
as a partner, his son, William E. Martin, since which time the firm 
has been known as B. F. Martin & Son. The stock and trade of 
the firm has been constantly increasing from that date to the pres- 
ent time, even while the financial affairs of the county were much 
depressed. The firm now occupies a room in the Opera House 
block, near the northeast corner of the square, the main sales- 
room of which is 20x60 feet with storage room in the rear the 
same size, while on tlie second floor they occupy two rooms, 
40x60 feet, and every inch of the room above and below being 
crowded with a stock of goods equal to any in the Military tract. 

Venahle Bros. — In 1860, John Venable came to Macomb, and 
on the southwest corner of the square opened a stock of woolen 
goods and engaged in the purchase and shipment of wool. The 



622 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

location not being suitable, he soon moved to the north side on 
the site of his present handsome brick. Adopting for his motto, 
"Good goods, quick sales, and small profits," he began a business 
career which has been very honorable and we trust profitable to 
himself. He has since built a large brick store room thirty by 
sixty feet, and disposed of his interest in the trade to his sons, 
William, James C, and John W., who now compose the firm of 
Venable Bros. For a number of years the firm dealt exclusively 
in woolen goods, gaining a reputation to be envied for the su- 
perior quality of manufacture which they offered for sale. The 
senior Venable had many year's experience in the manufacture of 
woolen goods and therefore was well qualified to judge whether an 
article ofiered him was "shoddy" or not,and never permitted him- 
self to purchase the former at any price. The reputation gained by 
the father is well maintained by the sons,and the knowledge of the 
fact that an article came from Venables is a guarantee of its good 
quality. The firm added to their line of woolen goods a complete 
stock of staple and fancy dry-goods, and notions, and to-day car- 
ry a stock second to none. The same uniform good quality is 
maintained in this department as in the line of woolens. While 
the firm never suffers itself to be undersold, it has always 
carried a line of the best goods in the city. 

Kenner & Brooking. — This firm has been in existence but a few 
months, and is composed of William L. Kenner and A. V. Brook- 
ing, the latter of whom is as well known as any man in McDon- 
ough county, being an old settler and having done business here 
for many years. Mr. Kenner, though not so well known, has 
many friends, and is a pleasant and agreeable man to deal with. 
For several years past he has engaged in farming, and in that 
business been eminently successful. He now returns to the city 
and engages in a trade in which he has had several years' exper- 
ience. The firm are successors to the well known clothiers, Major 
k Trotter, who made an excellent reputation and had a good run 
of custom, transacting their business in the only honorable way — 
one price to all. Boy and man were treated just alike, and one 
could buy just as cheap as the other. The new firm propose to 
continue the same style, believing it will be more satisfactory to 
customers, as it is well known that "one price" must be the lowest 
price. All are invited to visit their store and examine stock and 
prices. You will find gentlemanly waiters and goods always at 
bottom prices. 



HISTORY OF m'dOKOUGII COUNTY. 623 

W. 31. Iji.pe. — This gentleman is another old settler ot this 
county, and is as well known and has as many friends as any in it. 
We speak of him as being an old settler, which is true, but it does 
not necessarily follow that he is an old man. Far from it; he is- 
in the prime of life, and doubtless will live many years. Mr. Lipe 
came to this county with his father in 1834, and lived upon a 
farm for a number of years, then becoming a resident of this city,, 
and the greater part of that time being engaged in the retail 
grocery trade. His first experience in that business in this city 
was on the old Campbell corner, and after trying his hand in 
other locations he has again returned to the old corner, where he 
has, in a verj' short time, built up a trade second to none in the 
city. Should we be asked the reason for his success, we should 
reply that he keeps a good, clean, fresh stock of goods, he is never 
undersold, and is pleasant and accommodating to all. Occupying 
one of the most eligible locations in the city, keeping his stock 
full, and treating all alike, it is therefore not to be wondered that 
he does a thriving business. May it never grow less, but increase 
as the days go by. 

A. P. Wetherhold. — A business career of nearly a quarter of a 
century will either bring a man to ths front or send him far to the 
rear. In business there can be no middle ground for a man to 
occupy, he must either go forward and keep abreast of the times, 
or be distanced in the race by his more enterprising neighbors. 
Day by day we see dropping out of sight those who were once 
thought to be enterprising business men, but who neglectful of 
the opportunities presented to them, failed to secure that success 
which seemed to be within easy reach. The gentleman whose 
name heads this item has for many years been a resident of this 
city, and in various enterprises has become identified with its 
growth and prosperity. Although a good business man, and one 
that looks closely to his own interests, he yet does not allow his 
mind to become wholly absorbed in these matters, but in other 
things in which the people are interested, he takes an active part, 
and in this way he has brought himself into notice and secured 
the affection and good will of thousands throughout McDonough 
and surrounding counties. But it is as a business man we have 
to deal with him in this article. As remarked, it has been nearly 
a quarter of a century since he first began business in this city, his 
first location being on the east side ot the square, corner of east 
Jackson street and the square. Here he remained for some years, 



624 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

when be removed to the north side, and from thence to the north- 
east corner, where he established a splendid trade. It has been 
but a short time since he removed to the south side, in Cottrell's 
block, where he may now be found, and where has been fitted up 
for him rooms especially adapted for his trade. He occupies here 
two floors, the first as a general salesroom, and the upper for the 
display of his carpets and general storage. A word with refer- 
ence to the trade of Mr. Wetherhold. The stock consists of staple 
and fancy dry goods, notions, boots, shoes, carpets, etc., and in 
each department he designs to carry a line of the best goods, and 
his reputation for superior goods has been made known far and 
wide. In the carpet department he carries the largest stock of 
any house in the county ,*making of this line of goods more of a 
specialty than any other house. Housekeepers should by all 
means examine his stock before purchasing. In otber depart- 
ments will be found the best of all goods which there belong, and 
at prices that will satisfy the closest buyer. Remember A. P. 
Wetherhold, south side. 

7'. B. Smith. — This gentleman is well known throughout 
McDonough county as a contractor and builder, and can exhibit 
some of the finest work we have. Among the jobs lately com- 
pleted by him is the tine residence of Thomas Gilmore, Esq., one 
of the neatest and best pieces of work in the county. While Mr. 
Smith is capable of doing any work in his line, he is ever willing 
to work at reasonable prices, believing in the motto, "Live and 
let live." Those designing to build, or having carpentry work of 
any kind to be done, should firet receive an estimate from Mr. 
Smith. 

James Gamage. — This gentleman came to Macomb in 1862, and 
has since been a resident of the city, and engaged in one line of 
trade — that of a market for the sale ot fresh meat, fish, oysters, 
etc. From the first he secured a good run of custom, which in 
all the years has never forsaken him. Other markets have arisen 
and vanished away, but the old " Macomb Market " still exists, 
and will as long as Mr. Gamage remains at its head. Few men 
in the city have a firmer hold upon the masses of the people, and, 
when ill nomination for office, he invariably runs ahead of his 
ticket, receiving the votes of many of the opposition. Mr. Gam- 
age has served for some years as a member of the City Council 
of the City of Macomb, and at present is a representative in that 
bodv, and also is a member of the Board of Supervisors. In the 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 625 

discharge of his public duties he brings to bear upon every ques- 
tion a liberal mind, capable of observing both sides of every 
question, and acting for the best interest of all. While he would 
study economy, he does not believe in being niggardly in expen- 
ditures for public good, realizing the old maxim that one can be 
" penny wise and pound foolish.'" In his private business ho 
exercises the same general care of all details, and therefore has 
been reasonably successful in his work. He is at all times in the 
market for the purchase ot choice beef cattle, for which he pays 
the highest market price in cash. He also purchases hides, pelts 
and tallow. Call at the Macomb Market, Campbell's corner^ 
Macomb, Illinois. 

J. 31. Martin <k Sons. — The senior member of this firm has 
been for twenty-seven years engaged in contracting and building 
in this city and county, and some of the best and most subtantial 
work to be seen was by his hands. The junior, Mr. E. V. Mar- 
tin, is a natural mechanic, and in some classes of work has no supe- 
rior. For two or three years he was engaged with one of the 
largest firms in Chicago in stair building and other fine work. 
The firm is at all times ready to contract and build, and will guar- 
antee satisfaction in every instance. 

J. 31. and T. H. Downing. — The senior member of this firm 
came to Macomb in October, 1869, from Quincy, Illinois, having 
left his native place (Downingtown, Chester county, Pennsylvania,) 
for that city, where he pursued his studies in dentistry. On ar- 
riving in this city he purchased the office and good will of Dr. E. 
B. Hamil. Daring the first year he had a fair run of work and 
succeeded in making many friends and acquaintances ; since 
which time the business has gradually increased until now the 
tirrn have the largest dental practice enjoyed by any in this part 
of the State. In 1874, rooms were secured in Cottrell's block, 
south side, and arranged especially for the business, and we have 
no hesitation in saying they have the best fitted rooms in the city 
or county. In 1873, Mr. T. II. Downing commenced the study of 
dentistry, and was admitted a member of the firm the x^ast year. 
This gentleman, as well as the senior members of the firm, is an 
excellent workman, and is now making regular trips to Blandins- 
ville and Bardolph, in this county, and Plymouth, Hancock 
county, and we are pleased to chronicle the fact that he has met 
with uniform good success in each of the three places he visits. 
The firm is the only one in this part of the state prepared to do 



626 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

dentistry in all its branches, particularly in gold plate, rub- 
ber and celluloid, and none enjoy a better reputation lor 
good work. In the manufacture ot rubber plate they arc regu- 
larly licensed by the Goodyear Rubber Plate Company. Their 
list of patients is constantly increasing. .They are now using, 
when requested by the patient, nitrous oxide gas, a substitute for 
chloroform, having none of its bad efiects. When given, teeth 
are extracted without pain, and from the time the application is 
made, the teetli drawn, and the patient fully restored to conscious- 
ness, it does not exceed three minutes. We take pleasure in 
recommending this firm to our readers as perfectly, reliable in 
every respect. All can be assured that what thej'' say they can 
do they can do, and what they say they will do the}' will do. We 
trust their patronage will continue to increase in the future as in 
the past, and we believe that it Avill, as "true merit always finds 
its reward." 

Vinegar Mann f actor y. — Alexander Holmes was the originator 
of this branch of business in Macomb, and in September, 1874, 
erected a press on the corner of Washington and McArthur 
streets, having a capacity of eighty gallons per hour, or eight 
hundred gallons per day of ten working hours. That 3'ear the 
apple crop was ver}^ heavy, and consequently work was plenty, 
and the press was run nearly to its full capacity for some two or 
three months. In 1875, apples were very scarce, but notwith- 
standing a good run was made. A ready sale was found at fair 
prices for all the vinegar manufactured, and the demand was in 
excess of the supply. In 1876, another and still larger press was 
added with a capacity of one hundred and twenty gallons an hour, 
making now two hundred gallons per day, of ten hours, as the 
amount that can be produced. It is the design of Mr. Holmes to 
begin the manufacture each year about the middle of 
August, and continuing until about the middle of December, 
and now that he is well prepared for the business we look for this 
to be one of the main features of Macomb. Pure cider vinegar will 
hereafter always be kept on hand for sale wholesale and retail. 
Apples ground and pressed on shares, or the highest market price 
paid for cider apples during the season. 

S. P. Danley. — One of the most popular places of resort in the 
city is the art gallery of the aboved named gentleman. It has 
been many years since Mr. Danley ran a gallery on the south side 
of the square, manufacturing first the old Daguerreotype, then the 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 627 

ambrotype and other improvements upon the original sun pic- 
tures; and one thing can truly be remarked of him, he never 
drags behind, but is always abreast of the times, and no sooner is 
a new picture announced, proving to have any merit, but this gen- 
tleman is prepared to make it. In photography he has not a 
superior in this section of the country, and his pictures are known 
far and wide, and his reputation as an artist is first class wherever 
he is known. In obtaining life-like pictures of children he can- 
not be boat, and his judgment with respect to position, light and 
shade is superior to the majority of artists. His patience with 
the little ones is to be commended. About the year 1871, Mr. 
Danley purchased the well known gallerj^ of Hawkins & Philpot, 
on the southeast corner of the square, and at once occupied their 
rooms. Here he remained until the building was torn down by 
David Scott, when he was without a suitable room for some 
months. On re-building, Mr. Scott fitted up a suite of rooms 
specially for his use, and to-day a more cosy gallery, or one better 
adapted to the business, is hard to find. To those desirous of first- 
class work we have no hesitancy in recommending S. P. Danlej'. 
Special attention given to enlarging and copying in oil and water 
colors. 

E. H. Black. — One of the finest business stores west of Chicago 
is that of E. II. Black, in the Opera House block. This gentle- 
man came to Macomb, some seven or eight years ago, and shortly 
after purchased a half interest in the book store of H. Seymour, 
continuing; that relation, we believe, some eighteen months, when 
he retired from the firm and purchased the book establishment of 
S. J. Clarke, on the northeast corner of the square. In this loca- 
tion he remained until the completion of the Opera House, on the 
northwest corner of the square, when he moved into the corner 
room, which is certainly one of the finest in the city and in the 
State. In this room he has constantly on exhibition a stock of 
books, stationery, wall paper, window shades, toj's and fancy 
goods that would do credit to a city twenty times the size of Ma- 
comb. No one should visit the city without calling at Black's 
book store. 

B.F. Gloyd. — This gentleman for a number of years past has 
been engaged very extensively in the importation and breeding of 
fine stock, and credit is due him for the great advancement made 
in this business in this county. We believe it was at his sugges- 
tion that the first importation was made. ^Tr. Gloyd has now five 



628 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

horses which are pronounced by good judges to be the finest in 
the county, and well worth a day's travel to see. The time for 
breeding to common stock has gone by, as it don't pay, and our 
farmers begin to realize the fact. A demand always exists tor 
good stock, while for common a sale can scarcely ever be made. 
Of the horses mentioned, "Banker" is a dark bay, imported 
Clydesdale, and needs only to be seen to be admired. "Annan- 
dale" is another Clydesdale, and second only to Banker, and by 
some would be preferred. "Barney Sperry" and "Johnny Bethel" 
are both steel-gray, one-half blood Percheron, while "Scotland" is 
likewise a half blood Percheron. For any information in relation 
to the above, address B. F. Gloyd, Macomb, Illinois. 

A. V. Brooking. — In the stables of A. V. Brooking, this city, 
may be seen three as nice an*! noble specimens of the horse as 
any would wish to see. We are glad to see the interest being 
taken in breeding the better class of stock in this county. The 
question, " Will it pay ?" we think has been pretty effectually 
solved, and our farmers now realize and know it will pay. The 
following horses will be found at Brooking's stables : "Gloria." 
This fine stallion was imported from France in Kovember, 1874, 
by Degan Brothers, of Ottawa, Illinois. He is now eight years 
old, and weighs 1,900 pounds. Is a beautiful dapple gray, re- 
markably kind and gentle in disposition. "Rothamagus." — Was 
imported from France in July, 1870, by Dr. B. E. Westfall, of 
Macomb, Illinois. lie is now eleven years old, is 16^- hands high, 
and weighs 1,700 pounds. "Chickamauga." — Is a bright bay, with 
black points, 15^ hands high. A natural pacer, and could go in 
2:30 before he was hipped. Chickamauga has but six colts that 
we know of old enough to be trained. Of these Chickamauga, 
Jr., has a record of 2:29J; Susie Ross, 2:32; Billy Butler, 2:38. 
The Kenner mare, the Crab mare, and Snap Dragon, have never 
been trained, but can trot a mile in three minutes easily ; they are 
all from very common mares. Any information desired in refer- 
ence to any of the foregoing mentioned horses, will be cheerfully 
given by their owner. Call at stables on East Jackson street, or 
address A. V. Brooking, Macomb, Illinois. 

SUMMARY. 

The following is a carefully compiled statement of the number 
of firms represented in the various trades and professions named: 
agricultural implements, five ; bakers and confectioners, two ; 
banks, three; barbers, five; billiard halls, one ; blacksmiths, seven; 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 629 

boarding houses, six ; books and stationery, two ; boot and shoe 
makers and dealers, seven ; bounty and pension agents, two ; bowl- 
ing alleys, two ; broom manufacturers, two ; carpenters and 
builders, ten ; cider and vinegar manufacturers, three ; cigar 
manufacturers, one; city scales, one; collecting agents, two; 
clothing and gents' furnishing goods, four ; commission merchants, 
one; confectioners, three: coopers, two ; dairies, two; dentists, 
two; dress and cloak makers, six; druggists, five; dry goods, 
ten; egg packer, one ; express companies, one; flour and feed, 
six; foundries and machine shops, one ; florists, one; furniture, 
three; grain dealers, two; gas company, one; grindstone com- 
pany, one; groceries, fourteen; gunsmiths, two; hair works, 
three; hardware, three ; hats and caps, nine; hide dealers, three; 
hotels, two; horse breeder and dealer, one ; ice dealer, one; in- 
surance agents, eight ; lawyers, fifteen ; livery, feed and sale 
stables, three ; loan agents, two ; lumber dealers, three ; marble' 
works, one ; mattress makers, one ; meat markets, four ; mills, 
three; millinery and millinery goods, five; music and musical 
instruments, four ; music teachers, six ; newspapers and printers, 
three ; notaries public, twelve ; notion dealers, two ; novelty shops, 
two; nurseries, three ; opera house, one; painters, eight : photo- 
graphers, two ; physicians, ten ; picture and frame dealers, three; 
potteries, two ; puinp factories, one ; planing mills, one ; real es- 
tate dealers, two; restaurants, five; saddle and harness makers; 
three; sewing machine dealers, three; steamship agents, three; 
master in chancery, one; sorghum evaporator manufacturer, one , 
stove and tinware dealers, four ; tailor shops, seven ; trunk and 
valise dealers, three; undertakers, two; wagon makers and 
dealers, six ; watches, clock and jewelry dealers, four. 

In the above statement are eighty-two different professions and 
business, engaged in by two hundred and twenty-two different 
firms. 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. 

Brandon, J. F. & Co., southeast corner Randolph and Calhoun. 

Co-operative Store, T. J. Beard, agent, soulhetiil corner Squiire. 

Graves, N. J., .'outh side tquare. 

Hunt, A., south side Sq\iare. 

Lancy, S. F., uurihwest corner Carroll and Lafayette. 

B.\KERS AND CONFECTIONERS. t 

Bcclibflus, H., southeast corner Randolph and Carroll, 
tia dd, George, 2-!, Campbell's Block, west side Sfiuare. 

B— 40 



630 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY, 



Savings Bank— in connection with First National Bank. 
The First National Bank, northwest corner Hqnare. 
Union National Bank, northeast corner Square. 

liAHBEltS. 

Ball, Wm., east side Square. 
Field, James, west side Square. 
Ru,ssell, Wm., No. 16 north Randolph. 
Sniithers & Brothers, St. Elmo House. 
Wolf & Leach, south side Square. 

BILLIAItn HALL. 

Kost, C, west side Square . 

BLACKSMITHS. 

Broaddus, R. H.. southwest corner Lafayette and Washington. 

Gregory, T. L.. No. 30 south Lafayette. 

Imes, W. L., northeast corner Carroll and Edwards. 

Karr, J. P., No. 27 south Lafayette. 

Lodge, A. K., South Lafayette. 

Jiassey, R. H. & Co., east side Lafayette and south Washington. 

"Wallingford, K. A., south side Jackson and west of the square. 

BOARDING HOUSES. 

Hail, Wm. S., south side Carroll near College. 

O'Neal, Mrs. A., No. 45 west Jackson. 

Poling, Mrs. E. C, southwest corner Mc.Vrthur and Carroll. 

Russell. John L., No. T2 west Jackson. 

Smith, Mrs. M., No. 10 west Carroll. 

BOOKS AND STATIONERY. 

Black, E. H., northwest corner square, dealer in books, stationery, toys, wall and window 
Daper, pictures and frames. 

Welch tt Thornton, northeast corner Square, dealers in books, stationery, toys, wall and win- 
dow paper, pictures and frames. 

BOOT AND .SHOE MAKERS AND DEALERS. 

Barrv, J.. No. 10 north side Square. 

Durr & Farmer, south side Square, also dealer in leather. 

Hall, Geo. P., south side Square. 

Knapp, D., one door north postoffice west side Lafayette. 

Lamon, P. E., No. 2 Bailey's Block, northeast corner Sciuare. 

Randolph, B. F., No. 15 north side Square. 



BOUNTY AND PENSION AGENTS. 



Cadwalader, C. M., second floor, northwest corner Square. 
Withrow, W. E., second floor, Campbell's Block, west side Square. 



BOWLING ALLEY.S. 



Hesh, Peter, north side of Jackson, west of the Square. 
Haley, James, west side of the Square. 



BROOM MAKERS. 

(iarrison, M. G , west Jackson and Mc Arthur. 
Hobart. W., Washington near Monroe. 

CARPENTERS AND BUILDER.<<. 

Churchill, J. W., west side of Lafayette, near Carroll. 

Holmes, W., south side of Washington, west of Randolph. 

Holm^'S, A., southwest corner Washington and Mc Arthur. 

McBride, P., Lafayette near Washington. 

Martin, J. M. & Son, south siae of Lafayette soiith of the Square. 

Pearce ct Edwards, southwest corner of Washington and Campbell. 

Smith, J., .32 south Lafavette. 

Smith, T. B., 9 east Washington. 

Stover, J., w«>st side of Lafayette near Carroll. 

Thomas, W. O., south side of Calhoun east of Lafayette. 

CIDER AND VINEGAR MAKERS. 

Brooking it Rowe. southeast corner of Campbell and Calhoun. 
Holmes, A., southwest corner of Washington and McArthnr. 
Pillsbury, E. I'., corner of Madison and Washington. 

CIGAR MANUFACTURER. 

Dawson. E P., north side of the Square. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 631 



CITY SCALES. 

J. S. Smith, city weigher, southwest corner of the Square. 

COLLECTING AGENTS. 

McGan, P. H., second floor, west side of the Square. 
Mosher, J., Court House. 

CLOTHING AND GENTS' FCRNISHINO GOODS. 

Kenner & Brooking, 3, Bailey's Block, north side of the Square. 
MirClellan, J. C, 7 north side of tlie Sciiiare. 
Wilson & Fellheimer, 16 north side of the Square. 
Wald Bros., east side of the Square. 

COMMISSION MERCHANT. 

I'atrick, ('., north side of Calhoun west of Campbell. 

CONI'ECTIONEI!.S. 

Dalzell »fc Ilainline, cast side of Square. 
Dudley, J. C, No. 4, Opera House Block. 
Lane, Wm. B., east side of the Square. 

COOPEKS. 

Trull & Son, southeast corner of Randolph and Walker. 

DAIRYMEN. 

Case, M., north end Randolph. 
Pace, Thomas. 

DENTISTS. 

Downing & Bro., second floor Cotrell's block, south side Square. 
Whisseu, H. H., second floor, east side Square. 

DEESS AND CLOAK MAKERS. 

Cale Sisters, second floor Cotrell's block, south side Square. 

Cary, A. Mrs., 5 south Randolph. 

Dedrick, M. Mrs., 10 north Randolph. 

Jacobs, M. F. Mrs., 6 north side Square. 

Waller Sisters, eastside McArthur, north Jackson. 

White, M. A. Mrs., east side Square. 

DRUGS, PAINTS AND 0II>S. 

Delaney. P. H.. 14 north side Square. 

Ervin & .Son, south side Square. 

Keefer, George D. A Bro., northwest corner Square. 

Kyle, F. R., south side Square. 

Lane & Gore, east side Square. 

DRY GOODS. 

Bailey, George W., east side Square, corner Jackson, dealer in dry goods, boots and shoes. 

Bailey & Churchill, northeast corner Square. 

Hagerty, W. PL, 4 Bailey's block, north si<le Square. 

Johnson, L., northwest corner Siinare, dealer in dry goods, boots, shoes and carpets. 

McElrath, T., southwest corner Square, dry goods, boots and shoes. 

Ross, S. A. M., east side Square. 

Stapp & Wyne, south side Square. 

Twyman, il. C., agent, northwest corner Square, dry goods, boots and shoes. 

Venable Bros.. 11 north side Square. 

Wetherhold it Co., south side Square, dry goods and carpets. 

EGG PACKERS AND SHIPPEItS. 

Blount, F. J., sf)uthwest corner Randolph and Pierce. 

EXPRESS COMPANY. 

American, northeast corner Square, J. S. Gash, agent. 

KLOUR AND FEED. 

McDonough, E., northeast comer Square. 
Hunt, A., south side Square. 

F0fNDRIE,S AND M ACIIINE SHOPS. 

Fislier, A. & Bro., west side Randolph, opposite freight depot 

FLORIiiT. 

Hampton, D. S., No. 29 west Jack.son. 



632 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

KUKNITURE. 

Martin, I?. F. & Son, No. 5 Opera House Block. 
McElratli, J., southwest corner Square. 

GRAIN DEALER. 

Beardsley, S. R., north side Calhoun and Randolph. 

GAS COMPANY. 

Western Excelsior Gas Company— ofSce over Union National Bank. 

GRINDSTONE MANUFACTORY. 

Macomb Stone Company— west of city limits. 

GROCERIES. 

Ailcock Bros., east side Square. 

Adcock, J. T., east side Square, corner Jackson. 

Beard, T. J., apent, co-operative store, soutlicast corner Square. 

Davis, W. H., No. 12 north Randolph. 

Farley, John, west side Square, also Hour and feed. 

Gamine, J. S., No. 7 south Randolph, also flour and feed. 

Garrett, L., west side Square. 

Lipc, W. M., west side Square. 

Pace, G. W. & Co., southeiust corner Square, also dealer in flour and feed. 

Shumate, D., east side Square. 

Simpson, John, east side Square, also dealer in flour and feed. 

Slade & Walker, southeast, corner Square. 

Webb, J. T. No. 9 north side Square. 

GUNSMITHS. 

Harris, R. E., No. 14 north Randolph. 

Whitman, L. F., Lafayette, one door north post oiflce. 

HAIR DRESSING. 

(Harke, Mrs. B. F., west s.de Lafayette north of Carroll. 
James, Mrs. S. A., second floor, southwest corner Square. 
Robins<m, Mrs. A. W., No. 13 south Randolph. 

HARDWARE. 

Blount &. Smith, No. 13 north side Square. 

Scott & Cook, south side Square, dealers in hardware, china, ela-S", queenswarp, paints and oila 

Wells Brothers, north side Square, also dealers in china, glass and queensware. 

HATS AND CAPS. 

Hall, Geo, P., south side Square. 
Kenner & Brookinir, No. 3 north side Square, 
I>amon, P. IC, northeast corner Sc-juare. 
McClellan, J. C, No. 7 north side Square. 
McKlrath, T., southwest corner Squ>'re. 
Randolph, B. F., No. \b north side Square. 
Twvman, H. C, agent, northwest corner Square. 
Wil'lson & Fellheimer, No. 10 north side Square. 
Wald Bros., east side Sqiuire. 

HIDES. 

Durr, J., south side Square. 
Gamrtt;e, J., west side Square. 
Wald Bros., east side Square. 

HOTEI,.S. 

Randolph House, southeast corner Square. A. V. Brookinsj, proprietor. 

St. Elmo House, west side Square, comer Jackson. A H. Shepherd, proprietor. 

HORSE BREEDERS AND DEALERS. 

Brooking, A. V., stable east Jackson. 

Gloyd, B. F., stables rear First National Bank. 

ICE. 

Gesler, J., corner Ran<lolph and Carroll. 

INSURANCE AGENTS. 

Bradford, E. F., depot of C, B. & Q. R. R. 
(Chandler, C V., First National Banli. 
<'ummings, J. H., First National Bank. 
Holland, L., Union National Bank. 
I>awrenco, R., Court House. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 633 

Fioer, O. F., 4 north Randolph, second Uoor. 
Winslow, M. T., First National Bank. 
Wood, N. R , south end of Mechanic. 
Twyman, I. L., east Carroll, 

LAWYERS. 

Bailey, J. S., second floor, one door south of the First National Hank, west aide of the Sjuare . 

Cadwalader, C. M.. second floor northwest corner of the S(iuare. 

Campbell, L. F., residence north side of Jackson west of Johnson. 

Franklin, \V. H., second floor northwest corner of tlie Square. 

Franklin, J. II., over Union National Hank. 

Blazer, James M., office with C. F. Wheat. 

Campbell & Prentis,s, Campbell's Block. 

Foltz, J. H., Court House. 

McGan, P. H., second floor Campbell's Block, west side of the Square. • 

Mosher, J., itourt House. 

Neece & Baker, Court House. 

Pillsbury. K. P , over First National Bank. 

Tunnicllff, D. C, second floor Campbell's Block, west side Square. 

Walker. J. M., over First National Bank. 

Wheat, C. F., over First National Bank. 

LIVERY, FEED AND SALE .STABLE.*-. 

Brooking. A. V., south side of .Tackson east of the Square. 
Dodds, W. J., south side of Jackson west of the Square. 
French, S., southeast corner of the Suuare. 

LOAN AGENTS. 

Mosher, J., Court Hou.se. 

Winslow, M. T., office First National Bank. 

LUMBER. 

Bartleson & Gilraore, pIso Iliir, Lime and Cement, east side of Lafayette north of Carroll. 

Blount, A., also Hair, Lime and Cement, 31 south Lafayette. 

Penrose, J, & Bro., (native) southeast corner of Jefferson and Mc Arthur. 

MARBLE WORKS. 

Quin & Wilson, southwest corner Randolph and Carroll. 

MATTRES.S MAKER. 

Garrison, M. G., west Jackson. 

MEAT MARKETS. 

Adcock Bros., east side of the Square. 
Gamage, James, west side of the Square. 
Davis. W. H., north Randolph. 
Scott, L. W., west side of the square. 

MILLERS. 

Trull, & Son, southeast r-orner Randolph and Walker. 
Penrose, J. & Bro., southeast corner Jefferson and McArthur. 
Tinaley, N. P., east side Lafayette, north of Pierce. 

MILLINERY AND MILLINERY GOODS. 

♦"Jary, A. Mrs., .") south Randolph. 
Jacobs, M. F. Mrs., (i north side Square. 
Good, S. C. Mrs., south side Square. 
White, M. A. Mrs., ea.st side Square. 
Broaddus, R. H. Mrs., east side Square. 

Ml'SIC AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. 

Black, E. H., northeast corner Square. 

Kline, C, f> north side S(iuare. 

Welch & Thornton, northeast corner Square. 

MUSIC TEACIIER.S. 

Hall, M. E. Mis."?, 6G cast Washington. 

Hampton, William, 62 east C^arroll. 

Chamberlain. Annie Mrs., corner Johnson and Pierce, 

Harker, D. J. Miss, southwest corner Adams and Madison. 

Madison, Miss M., southwest corner Jackson and Madison. 

Marine, Rosa Mrs., Randolph House. 

NEWSPAPHRS AND PRINTERS. 

Macomb Independent, H. H. Stevens proprietor, Campbell's block, west side Square. 
Macomb Journal, Hamilton & Hainline proprietors, 8 north Randolph. 
Macomb Eagle, C. H. Whitaker proprietor, second floor II north side Square. 

NOTARIES PUBLIC. 

Baker, J. H., Court House. 

Cadwalader, C. M., second floor, northwest corner Square. 

Chandler, C. V., Fir^t National Bank. 

Eads, A., Union National Bank. 

Falkenthal, A. W., second floor Campbell's block, west side Square. 

McGan, P. H., Campbell's block. 

Mosher, J., Court House. 



634 HSTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY, 



Neece, Wm. H., Court House. 
Tunnicliflf, D. G., second floor Campbell's block. 
Wheat, C. V., over First National Bank. 
Winslow, M. T., First National Bank. 
Withrow, W. E., Campbell's block. 



Broaddus, R. H., Mrs., east side Square. 
Stryker, E. C. Mrs., north Randolph. 
Donaldson, L. C. Mrs., north Randolph street. 

NOVELTY SHOPS. 

Harris, R. E. , 14 north Randolph. 
Stearns & Lipe, south side Square. 

NURSERIES. 

Hampton, D. S., (dealer) 29 west Jackson. 
Kendrick, W. H., west end of Pierce. 
Vawter, A. T. north Lafayetle. 

OPERA HOUSE. 

Chandler's, northwest comer of the Square. 

PAINTERS. 

Ashton, J. B., southwest corner of the Square. 

Avery <fc Head, southwest corner of Randolph and Carroll. 

Harrison, T. B., (landscape and portrait) 19, Court House. 

Ingraham & Argenbright. 26 north Lafayette. 

Patterson & Frank, south side of Jackson, east of the Square. 

Russell, J. B., west side of Lafayette north of Pierce. 

Russell, J. T., residence south side of Wheeler west of Albert. 

Frost, Charles, resiaence north side of Jefferson west of Johnson. 

Sosmau, J. S., Basement Court House. 

PHOTOGRAPHERS. 

Danley, S. P., second floor southeast corner of the Square. 
Philpot, T., second floor No. 7, north side of the Square. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Archer, M. C, northeast corner of Jackson and McArthur. 

Bayne, W. F., (eclectic) second floor Bailey's Block, northeast corner of the Square. 

Blaisdell, W. O., (homeopathic) second floor Cottrell's Block, south side of the Square. 

Dunn, B. I., northwest corner of CarroUand Madison. 

Garrison, P. H., second floor Cottrell's Block, south side of the Square. 

Kyle, J. B., Kvle's Drugstore, south sideof the Square. 

Livermore & Ellis, second floor northwest corner of the Square. 

McDavitt, v., second floor northeast corner of the Square. 

Westfall, B. R , (Homeopathic) second floor northwest corner of the Square, 

PICTURES AND FRAMES. 

(.See Books.and Stationery.) 
Rice, W. H., east side of Randolph north of Carroll Street. 



Eddv, A. W. &. Co., northwest corner of Dudley and Pierce Streets. 
Stoffers & AUbert, southwest corner of Edwards and Pierce Streets. 

PUMPS.. 

Woodworlh, J., south side of Jackson Street west of the Square. 

PLANING MILLS. 

Thomas, W. O., south side of Calhoun east of Lafayette Street. 

REAL ESTATE. 

McLean, A., over Union National Bank. 
Baker, J. H., Court House. 

RESTAURANTS. 



Dudley,. J. C, No. 4 Opera House Block. 

Dalzoli & Hainlinc, east i^ide of the Square. 

Lane, Wm., east side of the Square. 

Regnar, J., north side of Jackson Street, west of the Squore. 



SADDLES AND HARNESS. 



Hoskinson, John., south side of the Square. 
Hoffman, F. J., west side of the Square.. 
>Jaylor, Z. T., southwest corner of the square. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 635 

SEWING MACUINES. 



Black, E, II. agent, northwest corner of theSquaie. 
Smith, J. A., agent. No. 10, Randolph. 
Damron, Wm., with E. H. Black. 

STEAMSHIP AGENTS. 

Chandler, C. V., First National Bank. 
Holland, L., Union National Bank. 
McLean, A., over Union National Bank 

MASTER IN CHANCERY. 

Bailey, J. S., second floor, first door south, First National Bank. 

SORGHUM EVAPOUATOR-MAKERS. 

Price, T. J. & J. M.. southeast corner Calhoun and Campbell. 

STOVES AND TINWARE. 

Mcintosh & Blount, north side Square. 

Wells Bros., north side Square. 

Fisher it Bro., (stove makers), west side of Randolph, north of railroad. 

tJcoit A: Cook, south side Square. 

TAILORS. 

Ilastie, W., sec.nd floor Holland's Block, Randolph. 
Kcruiiin, Wm., at Wald Bros., east side Square, 
McClellan, J. C, No. 7, north Side of the Square. 
>lilligan. G., east side of the Square. 
Phelps, Wm., second floor, northwest corner of the square. 
Strauss & Wilson, No. 16, north side of the Square. 
Venable Bros., No. 11, north side of the Square. 
Phelps, J. H., north side of the Square, Bailey's Block. 

TRUNKS AND VALISES. 

Lamon. P. E. north side Square, No. 2. 
Kenner & Brooking, north side Square, No. .". 
Randolph, B. F., ir>, north side .Square. 

UNDERTAKERS. 

Martin. B. F., & Son, 5 Opera House block. 
McElrath, J., southwest corner Square. 

WAGON SIAKER-S AND DEALERS. 

Brandon, J. F., & Co., southeast corner Randolph and Calhoun. 

Gribble, J. L., 26 and 2S South Lafayette . 

Imes, W. L., corner Carroll and Edvv'ards. 

Lancy, S. F., corner Corroll and Lafayette. 

Stewart & Price, corner Calhouu and Campbell. 

Lodge, A. IC. south Lafayette. 

WATCHES, CLOCKS AND .lEWELRY. 

Kline, C. ^ Bailey block, north .side Square. 
Seem & Broaddus, northeast corner Square. 
Stocker, L.. south side Scjuare. 
Wilson, J. IL, south side Square. 

(■HVRCIIES. 

Christian Church, north side Carroll, east of Lafayette street; Elder G. W. Mapes, pastor. 
Congregational Church, north side Carroll, east of Randolph street. 

Evangelical Lutheran Church, east side Campbell, south of Jackson street; Rev. G. H. Schnurr, 
pastor. 

First Baptist Church, south side Carroll, west of Lafayette .street ; Rev. J. L. M. Young, pastor. 

M. E. Church, west side Lafayette, north of Carroll street ; Rev. M. A. Head, pastor. 

Presbyterian Church, north side Carroll street, east of Square; Rev. J. Moore, pastor. 

St. Pa'ul's Catholic Church, soiith side Jackson, west of Johnson street; Rev. J. Tuohy, pastor. 

Second Baptist (colored), east side Lafayette, north of Carroll street. 

Second Methodist (colored), west side Square. 

Uuiversalist, east Jackson; Rev. B. N. Wiles, Pastor. 

CITY GOVERNMENT. 

Mayor, Ashur Blount: Clerk, L. E. Wyne; Police Magistrate, O. F. Piper; Attorney, J. H. 
Franklin; Treasurer, C. V. Chandler: Collector, Henry Shetterly; Assessor, Hugh Ervin ; En- 
gineer ana Surveyor. J. W. Brattle : Marshall, Karr McClintock; Policemen, Henry Chapman, and 
John Simmons ; Street Supervisor, G. B. Gash; City Weigher, John S. Smith ; Sexton, John Shannon. 

COUNCIL. 

First Ward, W. E. Martin, and E. F. Bradford : Second Ward, J. H. Cummings. and J. E. Wyne : 
Third Ward, John McLean, and 1). Scott ; Fourth Ward, W. O. Thomas, and J. Gamage. 



636 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

BOARD OF HEALTH. 

Ashur Blount, President; Dr. W. O. Blaisdell, Dr. W. F. Bayne, and Dr. P. H. Garretaon, Mem- 
l)er8. 

SOCIETIES. 
MASONIC. 

(Flail third floor Holland's block, northeast corner Square.) 
Macomb Lodfie No. 17, A. F. & A. M., meets fir.st Friday in each month. 
Kyle Lodge No. ^53, A. F. & A. M., meets third Friday in each month. 
Morse Chapter No. I'J, A. F. & A. M., meets second Friday in each month. 

ODD FELLOWS. 

(Hall Gamage block. Second floor, 7. S. Randolph.) 

Military Tract Lodge No. 14.'), meet-s every Tuesday evening. 

Washington Encampment No. 39, meets first and third Thursdays of each month. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Good Samaritan Temperance Society, meets alternately at the churches, Sunday at 4 P. M. 
Macomb Literary Society, meets every Monday evening. Hall in Holland's block. 
Macomb Shooting Club, meets Campbell's block, west side Square, second Tuesday each month. 
McDonough County Stock, Agricultural and Mechanical Association. Fair grounds south end 
of Lafayette. 



HISTORY OV m'dONOUGH COUNTY 637 



CHAPTER XLI. 



BLANDINSVILLE. 



In 1842 Joseph L. Blandin, the owner of the southeast quarter 
of section thirty-two, concluded to locate thereon- a new town, 
and for that purpose secured the service of Samuel Hunt, Esq., 
County Surveyor, who proceeded to survey and lay it off. To the 
place was given the name of Blandinsville, in honorof its founder. 

The neighborhood in which the town is located had long been 
known as "Job's Settlement," and was the second one in the 
county, William and Iraby Job having located here as early as 
1827. Even for ten years after the town was located the people 
in various parts of the county would still familiarl}- call it by its 
old name. 

Ko sale of public lots was ever made, and no special effort made 
to push the town as is now customary. The first lots sold at from 
twenty-five to fifty dollars each. 

The town is very pleasantly situated, and various additions 
have been made to its territory, the first being by Thomas J. 
Davis, who had laid off the southwest quarter of section thirty- 
three ; after which we find additions recorded by William H. 
Grigsby and Thomas I. Sorter on section thirty-three, Joshua 
Dunham on section thirty-two, and Mr. Foster, northeast quarter 
section five, Hire township. 

The first dwelling house erected after the laying off of the 
town was by Charles K. Hume, who, together with Joseph C. 
Blandin, a son of the founder of the place, erected the first store 
building, the latter of which still stands, and is yet a good, sub- 
stantial building. It is in size eighteen by thirty-four feet, and is 
now used as a paint shop. 

Blandinsville is surrounded by as fine farming country as can be 
found in the State, and her growth has been uniform with it. No 



638 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

efiort has ever been made to establish manufactories, and therefore 
the mercantile and laboring classes are dependent upon the trade 
of the farming community. The mercantile trade of the place 
has always been good, its business seemingly never to have been 
overdone. Among the many who have engaged in business here 
during the past thirty-iive years,\ve recall the name of S. J. Hopper, 
who came here about the year 1846, and for some sixteen or eigh- 
teen years enjoyed a very large trade. Mr. Hopper continued in 
business until elected sherifl'of the county in 1860, Avhen he re- 
moved to Macomb, remaining there until his death, which occur- 
red a few years afterwards. A. P. Hopper came about the same 
time, and for many years has been engaged in the milling busi- 
ness. Ed. R. Jones has been in the mercantile trade for a great 
many years. Others somewhat prominent were Harrison and 
Adonijah Ilungate, R. D. Hammond, J. F. Durant, Dr. Huston, 
Joseph L. Blandin, George W. Blandin, and many others. 

In the cause of education Blandinsville has kept pace with the 
rest of the county, her public schools usually being among the 
best. At an early date the United Brethren in Christ established 
in the place an institution of learning, to vvhich was given the 
name of Blandinsville Seminary. During the short period of its 
existence it accomplished much good. Not being financially a 
Buccesss, the building and grounds were sold to the village, and is 
yet used for school purposes. 

Until the completion of the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney 
Railroad, the town in its growth compared favorably with others 
in the county, after which its progress was not so great. The 
facilities gained by the others from the introduction of .the rail- 
road enabled them to gain greatly over her in population and 
wealth. Her leading citizens at once saw the danger to which she 
was exposed, and when the subject of coiistructing the Toledo, 
Peoria & Warsaw Railroad was agitated, they began at once to 
take steps to secure its location through their town. Del. Mar- 
tin, C. R. Hume, S. J. Hopper and others worked hard to this 
end. Although it was a number of years from the commence- 
ment of its agitation until finally completed, its friends never 
ceased their labors or seemed to weary; they entered upon the 
work with a determination to succeed in their efforts, and succeed 
they did. The town itself raised forty-five thousand dollars for 
the purpose. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 639 

The building of the road was the salvation of Blandinsville. 
A new life and spirit seemed to animate her citizens, and im- 
provements began to be made upon every hand. Fine stone 
buildings were erected, new dwelling houses sprang up, old ones 
were repaired and otherwise improved. The slow-going manner 
of doing business gave way to the Young America mode, all of 
which has redounded to the advantage of the place. A compari- 
son of the little, one-horse stores of the early day with the mam- 
moth establishment of Dines Brothers, will show the great 
improvements made. The trade of the place to-day, exclusive of 
grain and stock, will amount to $500,000 per year. 

With respect to religious privileges, the town has as many ad- 
vantages as any in the county, there being large congregations of 
Baptists, Christians, Methodist Episcopal, and United Brethren in 
Christ, each of whom have fair church buildings, A historical 
sketch of each of these churches is given in the religious depart- 
ment of this work. Attention is called thereto. 

In the transaction of the business of the place we find repre- 
sented two agricultural implement dealers, one baker and con- 
fectioner, one bank, three barbers, four blacksmith shops, two 
book and stationery, three boots and shoes, two hats and caps, 
one clothing, one jeweler, two dentists, three druggists, five dry 
goods, two furniture, two grain dealers, eight groceries, three 
hardware, two hotels, one justice of the peace, tour lawyers, two 
livery and feed stables, one lumber yard, two meat markets, two 
mills, two millinery stores, one police magistrate, six physicians, 
three restaurants, three harness shops, one tailor, three wagon 
shops, four churches, three secret societies. 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 

1877. 

AGRICUI-TURAL IMPLEMENTS. 

Clements, W. R., north Main Street. 
Conwell & Eduiotiston, south Main.Street. 

BAKERS AND fONKECTIONF.RS. 

Foley, J. M., south;Maiii Street. 

BANKER.^ 

MeVey & Pancake, Main Street. 

BARBERS. 

Kond, M. 51 ., south Main Street. 
Mc'Kall, .'J., south Main Street. 
Porter, Daniel, Main Street. 



640 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 



BI-ACK.SMITHS. 



Hughes. .1. M., one block cast of Main Street. 
Sauders & Sorter, south Main Street. 



BOOKS AND STATIONKEY. 

Fee, J. VV., south Main Street, 
(joodnight, T. IL, south Main Street. 

BOOTS, SUCKS, HATS AND CAP.'f. 

Alexander, David, Main Street. 

llollebaugh, W. H., manufacturer tjoots and shoes, north Main Street. 

Land & Co., W. B., Main Street. 

CLOTHING. 

Terry, M. A.j corner Main and Harrison Streets. 

CLOCKS, WATCHES AND JEWELRY. 

Bennett, L. .T., north Main Street. 



DENTISTS, 



Butler, W, O., north Main Street. 

Emery & Ferman, Main Street. 
Pond, A. B., Main Street. 
HuflF, F. M., South Main Street. 



DRY GOODS. 



Dines Bros., corner Main and Harrison. 
Gillam, J. & J. P., South Main Street. 
Hoflnian, J. R., South Main Street. 
McCord, W. H., corner Main and Jackson. 
Pancake, S. M. & Co., South Main Street. 



FURNITURE. 



Spielman Brothers, North Main Street. 
Wilson, A., South Main Street. 

GRAIN DEALERS 

Grigsby., W. H. 
Gamage, D. C. 

GR0CERIE.S. 

Coffman, J. M. <fc Bro., Main Street, opposite Bank. 

Dines Bros., corner Main and Harrison. 

Gillam, J. &J. P., South Main Street. 

Griffith, H. C, North Main Street. 

McCord, W. H., Main and Jackson.. 

Pancake S. M. & Co., South Main Street. 

O. M. Scoville, 5, Main Street. 

HARDWARE, STOVES AND TINWARE. 

Conwell & Edmonson, South Main Street. 
Hume, R. W., one door south of Bank. 
Thompson, N., South Main Street. 



Edel House, northeast corner of the square ; Joseph Edel, Proprietor, 
Central House, Main Street ; Frank Kellogg, Proprietor. 

JUSTICE OF THK PEACE. 

Gillihan, W. W. 

LAWYERS. 

Fuhr, George S., Duncan Block. 
Hume, Charles R., South Main Street. 
Ralston, D. R., South Main Street. 
Ward, James R,, 

UVERY AND FEED STABLE.S. 

Carmack & Murray, S. Main street. 
A. Kellogg, 8. Main street. 

LUMBER, LIME, CEMENT, ETC. 

Thomas Marsden.S. Main street. 

MEAT MARKETS. 

J. T. Campbell, N. Main street. 
W. R. Skinner, S. Main street. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 641 



Depot Mills, W. G. Grigsby, proprietor, opposite depot, 
llopper & Meeks, two Dlocks west of depot. 



MILLINERY STORES. 
PHYSICIANS. 



POLICE iMAGISTRATE. 
POST .MASTER. 
REiTAURANTS. 



Miss E. L. Foley, Main street. 
Helen A. Palmer, S. Main street. 

Clark A Gamble, S. Main street. 
J. H. l<>mery, S. Main street. 
K. D. Hammond, Main street. 
H.Thompson, S. Main street. 
Huston, VV. M., Jackson Street. 

Hume, Charles R. S., Main Street. 

Fee, J. W. 

Foley, J. M., S. Main Street, 
(lardiier, \V. E., N. Main Sereet. 
Jones, E. R., S. Main Street. 

SADDLES AND HARNESS. 

Myers, J. M., S. Main Street. 
(Ion way, B., N. Main Street. 
Fowler, John W., N. Main Street, 

STATION AGENT. 

Butler, G. W., Agent T., P. <t W. R. R. and U. S. Ex. Co. 

TAILORS. 

Mason, H. N., S. Main Street. 

WAGON, CARRIAGE AND BLACKS.MITHS. 

Gist & Epperson, Main and Harrison Streets. 
Keithly & Phillips, north Main Street. 
banders & Sorter, south Main Street. 



Baptist Church, Maple Street, one block south Square . 

<'hrislian Church, Harrison Street, west of Main Street; T. H. Goodrich, Pastor. 
M. E. Church, Jackson Street, west of Main ; G. B. Snedaker snl W. B. Alexander, pastors. 
United Brethren in Christ Church, Harrison Street, one block east of Main ; Isaac Valentine, 
pastor. 

SOCIETIES. 

New Hope lyodge, I. O. O. F., No. 263; hall, over HufTs drug store ; James Ray, N. G. 
Blandinsville Encampment I. O. O. F., No. — ; W. R. Skinner, C. P. 
Hardin Lodge, A. O. U. W., No. 25; John W. Fowler, M. W. 



642 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XLII. 

INDUSTRY — DODDSVILLE — MIDDLETOWN. 

In 1846, Johnson Downen, Esq., living on southeast quarter ot 
section 15, 5 north, 1 west, Industry township, made a proposition 
to John M. Price, a young blacksmith, to give him an acre of 
ground, and the neighbors of Mr. D. offered to erect for him a 
shop, if he would settle there and follow his trade. This offer Mr. 
Price accepted and a shop was erected for him which he oc- 
cupied for many years. This was the beginning of the present 
village of Industry, but at the time no thought was experienced 
of a town being there located. A postoiEce had been located in 
the neighborhood for many years in charge of Joel Pennington, 
Esq., an old pioneer of the county, who kept the office at his resi- 
dence. When Mr. Price settled here the country around was in 
a wild and uncultivated state, save a farm here and there, the 
greater number of which were located east and southeast of the 
present town, around the old Carter settlement. Jle has informed 
us he has stood in his door and shot wild turkeys, and from his 
yard killed deer, squirrels, and other wild game. He remembers 
killing a wolf where the saw mill on Main street now stands; and 
again, when the mill was located about the centre of the street 
opposite Vance's Hotel, upon one occasion, a half grown deer in 
its fright ran into the mill and was knocked in the head with an ax. 

In 1860, Cleon and Desa Reddick came to the place and started 
a dry goods and grocery store, the first in the place. This busi- 
ness they continued for two years, when J. M. Price purchased 
the stock and continued the business. These gentlemen were the 
first to settle here after Mr. Price. Next came Dr. Duncan, so 
well and favorably known through the south part of the county. 
He was the first physician in the place, and for some years the 
only one; and there probably is not a family in the whole town- 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 643 

ship but has hud his professional service. Dr. Duncan departed 
this life in the Spring ol 1877, his loss being deeply felt by the 
whole neighborhood. 

The lirst survey was in October, 1855, six blocks being laid oft" 
by William \l. Kile, County Surveyor, In 1858 four additions 
were made to the town, viz. : Eastern, western, southern and 
northern; and again, in 1867, Downen's addition was surveyed. 
The place was given its name by J, M, Price and Cleon Reddick, 
A nickname had been given it some time previous by Springer, 
who had called it Pinhook, for what reason is not kuow^i by even 
the oldest inhabitant. 

The town has been of slow but steady growth, it having none 
ot the advantages of railroad towns of the present day. During 
the last three years more improvements have been made in it than 
during the same length of time in its history, the improvements 
being of a permanent character. It is hoped these will continue, 

Notwithstanding the place was laid out in 1855, it was not in- 
corporated until 1867, when it was organized under a special 
charter, the first meeting of the Board of Trustees of the town 
occurring the evening of May 16, 1867. The following are the 
names of those comprising the first Board : William Sullivan, 
President ; Daniel Carroll, John Shannon, D. M. Creel and B. F, 
Botchlet, This organization of the place was continued until 
1873, when it was re-organized on the 24th of January, under the 
general law, as a village,with the following named Trustees: John 
McKinuey, President ; J, F. Mosser, John W. Flack, J. D. Goble 
and John D. Merrick. 

The village has always been a moral and religious one, and has 
never, since its organization in 1867, granted license for the sale 
of intoxicating liquors. 

The public schools of the place have kept pace with those of 
other towns. The village has a large school building situated on 
Main street, and from seven to eight months in the year a free 
school is held therein. Good teachers have usually been em- 
ployed, at salaries ranging from fifty to seventy-five dollars per 
month. Prof. H. M. Towner was employed as principal during 
the school year of 1876 and '77. Perfect satisfaction was ren- 
dered by this gentleman to the patrons of the school. IVof. 
Thomas Odenweller is engaged for the season of 1877-'78. 

Three church buildings are in the place, and divine services are 
held in each. The denominations represented are Christian, 



644 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Cumberland Presbyterian and Methodist Episcopal. Sketches of 
each of their organizations will be found elsewhere in this work. 
Ilev. J. L. Towner, pastor of the Christian Church, has held that 
relation a longer period than either of the others. His ministra- 
tions have been very acceptable to the people. 

In manufactories the village has not much to boast, and until a 
railroad is secured will probably never do much in this respect. 
A flouring mill, which supplies the people with an excellent quality 
of flour, a saw mill and a wagon shop are the only representatives 
of this branch of industry in the place. 

The village is twelve miles from any railroad station, and four 
towns with railroad depots are situated that distance from it, viz.: 
Macomb, Table Grove, Vermont and Adair. These facts serve as 
a drawback to the prosperity of the place, but, as before remarked, 
the town prospers nevertheless. Among her business men are 
several that are alive to her interests, and who work to that end. 
The population of the town is at present about Ave hundred. 

The following named gentlemen occupy the position of Trustees 
of the village at the present writing: J. W. Leach, President; 
John McKinney, Simon Gustine, P. B. Cordell, John A. Sullivan, 
J. H. P. Clayton, 

The following is a summary of the number and various kinds 
of business Arms ; Agricultural implement dealer, one; blacksmith, 
one; boot and shoe-makers, two; barber shop, one; restaurant, 
one; carpenters, three; drug stores, two; general merchandise, two; 
groceries, three; hotels, one; saddle aLd harness shop, one; hard- 
ware stores, two; insurance companies, one; meat markets, two; 
mills, two; millinery and dressmaking one; millinery and notions, 
one: painters, one; photographers, two; physicians, three; wagon 
makers, two; societies, three. 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 

AORICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. 

J. W. Leach, Iliokory street. 

BLACKSMITH. 

Caleb Hathaway, Sullivan street. 

BOOT AND BUOIillAKERS. 

B. F. Blotchett, Main street. 
John McKiuuey, Sullivan street. 

CONFECTIONERY, RESTAUKANT AND BARBER SHOP. 

J. R. Patterson, Main street. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. G45 



CAnPENTERS. 



J. S, BaymillcTtt Bro., Sullivan street. 
James Kec, Hickory street. 
James Laughliu, Main street. 



Hyatt Bros., Main Street. 
Kyle, Joseph B., Main Street. 



GENERAL MERCHANDISE. 



Merrick, J. T., Main Street. 
Mosser, J. F., Main Street. 



Cordell, J. W., Main Street. 
Greenwell, Charles, Main Street. 
Shee.sley & Butcher, Main Street. 

HOTEL. 

Vance House, Main Street, \V. R. Vance, proprietor. 

HARNESS AND SADDLERY. 

Bechtol, I'., Main Street. 

HARDWARE. 

Cordon, J. \V.. Main Street. 
Taylor J: Son, Main Street. 

INSURANCE COMPANIES. 

Industry Mutual Insurance Company. Henry Black, President; W. R. Pennington, Treasurer: 
John Dovvuen, Secretary. 



MEAT MARKETS. 



Greenwell, Charles. Main Street. 
Peniiingtou, Benjamin, Main Street. 



Industry Mills, E. Fish & Son. 

Saw Mill, Hyatt, Snowdeu <t Co., Main Street. 

MILLINERY AND DRESS MAKING. 

Kemper <fc Sullivan, Mrs., Main Street. 

MILLINERY AND NOTIONS. 

Kemper, E. B., Main Street. 

NOTARY PUBLIC. 

t'ordell, Presley, with J. F. Mosser. 

PAINTERS. 

Seward, D. A., Hickory Street. 



Pittman, George N., Main street. 
Robinson, James R., Main street. 



Cordell, J. W, 



PHOTOGRAPHERS. 



POSTMASTER. 



PHYSICIANS. 



C^eel, D. M. Office over Kyles' drug ."itore. 
Duncan, Charles. Office at residence. 
Shannon, George. Office with Hyatt Bros. 



Kemper, J. M., Sullivan Street. 
Black, J. T. N., Main street. 



WAGON MAKERS. 



TOWN OFFICERS. 



Vance, W. R , Clerk. Office in hotel. 

Downen, John, Police Magistrate. Office over Kyles' drug store. 

Flack, John \V., Justice of the Peace. OfficeoverKvle's drug store. 

11—41 



646 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

SOCIETIES— SECRET AND IJENEVDI.ENT. . 

Industiv Lod^c N'o. 271. John McKinnev, Secretary; Douglas Pennington, N. G. 

Iniliistry A. F. and A. M., No. 327. I. N. Beaver, M. 

Industry (irangc No. 5S. A. J. Vail, Master; W. S. Pile, Secretary. 

BAND. 

Industry Cornet Hanil, H. C. Sullivan, Leader. 

CIlUllCUKS. 

Christian I'hnrch. IClder.!. L.Towner, Pastor. 
CunilierL-ind Piesliyterian Cliurcli. 
Methoelist lOpiseopal Churcii. 

DitDDSVILLE. 

This town is on the southern line of the county, with a portion 
of it in Schuyler county. It was laid out in 1836 by Samuel 
Dodds. That portion in this county is on section 32, Industry 
township. In the town are two good churches — the Presbyterian 
and the Methodists — A\^. G. Irwin, dealer in dry goods and groce- 
ries, also Postmaster ; J. B. AVheeler, blacksmith ; J. II. Wheeler, 
wasron maker ; J. W. Donolev, M. I). 

MIDDLETOWN. 

(p. O. FANDON.) 

Under the head of "Early Settlements," in Chapter viii, will be 
found notice of this place; therefore, we think it unnecessary to 
say more in this connection. The following comprises a list of 
business houses represented in the town: Minton Hatfield, gene- 
ral merchandise; Robert Jefiries, drugs and groceries; W. W. 
Moore and J. II. Voorhoes, blacksmiths; J. M. Mills, D. J. Fu- 
gate and I. IST. AVear, physicians; M. Hatfield, postmaster; John 
'Griswold, patentee. 



HISTORY OV M'DONOrOII COUNTY. 047 



CHAPTER XLIII. 



PUAIRJE CITY, 



This town is situated on a beautiful rolling prairie, surrounded 
by a country which, in fertility of soil, is not surpassed in the 
State of Illinois. The whole country around is dotted over with 
some ot the finest and best improved farms in the county. Prairie 
City is truly a city of the prairie, and its founders could not have 
selected a more beautiful and eligible location, or a name more 
appropriate for the town. The place was laid out on the pro- 
jected line of the Xorthern Cross, now Chicago, Burlington and 
Quincy ]vailroad, in 1854, by Ezra Cadw^allader, Anson Smith, 
Ezra ]). Smith and Edwin Reed, men of excellent judgment and 
more than ordinary business qualifications. The same year 
Messrs. Parker & J3arncs, of Canton, came to the place, and 
opened a stock of general merchandise, first in a farm house near 
town, then in a store building on Main street, near Smith, which 
they erected for this purpose. This was the first building erected 
in town, and Parker & Barnes have the honor of being the first to 
engage in business. In their store-room Rev. Truman Grigsby, a 
Baptist Minister, preached tlie first sermon in the town. Rev. 
Samuel Bill}', a Congregational Minister, was next, preaching a 
short time thereafter in the house of Ezra Smith. 

The town is laid out with streets runnino- east and west and 
north and south. The original town only comprised forty acres, 
and lots were made GGxl20 feet. Several additions have since 
been made to the town, and it now covers considerable ground ; 
but the principal portion of it is located on the northwest quarter 
of section one of Prairie City township, being the extreme north- 
eastern portion of the county, seventeen miles from Macomb, ami 
one hundred and eighty-six from Chicago. 



648 HISTORY OF M'l)0>:OU(iH COUNTY. 

In 1855, a frame school liouse was built, in size about 20x30 feet, 
on Clay street. The foUowint^ year the Presbyterians erected a 
church building, being the iirst in the town. Ezra Cadwallader 
erected the first building for hotel purposes — the City Hotel. 

Ill 1856, Alonzo Barnes, James R. Parker and Joseph Drake 
platted the first southern addition to the town, giving a lot to any 
one who would build a house thereon costing not less than one 
hundred and fifty dollars. Tliis had the desired efi'ect, inducing 
many to come here to make their homes. The place now grew so 
rapidly that it became necessary to incorporate as a town. 
Accordingly, on Saturday, January 10, 1857, a public meeting was 
held and the question voted for or against incorporation. Thirty- 
uine votes were cast for and five against. The proposition having 
been carried, an election was held on Saturday, January 24, at two 
o'clock P. M., for the purpose of choosing five Trustees, when the 
following gentlemen were elected: David Negley, L. II. Brad- 
bury, J. B. Robinson, George Hettle and M. T. Hand. A. Fisher 
was chosen as the first clerk of the board. A few days there- 
after the board met and adopted such ordinances as were thought 
ibr the best interests of the place. 

No town can be supposed to exist without a newspaper, so in 
the early part of this year, one was issued from this place. As an 
illustration of the rapid growth of the town, we copy the follow- 
ing communication which appeared in the Prairie City Chronicle 
under date April 23, 1857. 

"The rapidity w'ith which our beautiful village has grown must 
astonish th3 natives. Notwithstanding the opposition of two rival 
towns, it has far exceeded the expectations of its most sanguine 
founders. Where now stands the Presbyterian Church, with its 
spire pointing heavenward, the school house by its side, where the 
growing idea may learn to shoot; the large and commodious edifice 
erected and occupied by Messrs. Barnes & Fisher and L. J. Wash- 
burn, near the railroad, the Cope liouse, and a dozen other build- 
ings in which are carried on a general mercantile trade, and 
dwelling houses scattered over nearly a cpiarter section of land, 
with a family in every seven by nine room — I say, where now" 
stands all these, three years ago nothing was to be seen but the 
prairie grass waving in the summer breeze, with here and there a 
lowing herd, as they enjoyed the luxuries which nature had pro- 
vided for them." 



HISTORY OF m'j^ONOUGH COUNTY. G49 

In 18o9 tliere was inaugurated an institution in this place which 
f^poke well ibr the early settlers of the town. We allude to the 
Prairie City Academy, started under the auspices of the Free 
Will Baptist Church. For several years the institution met with 
good success, students being attracted there from many of the ad- 
joining counties, and a bright future seemed before it, but for some 
cause dissatisfaction arose as to its management, and the town, 
which had a half interest in it, withdrew its influence and sup- 
port, and the church not being able to support it alone, it was com- 
pelled to suspend. The property was sold, the town becoming 
the purchaser, and it is now used for the purpose of a public 
school. 

With reference to the public schools of the place, the citizens 
take an especial pride, and not without cause. From the report 
of the superintendent of schools of the town we gather the in- 
formation that they are in a very flourishing condition, the 
general average in deportment, attendance and study being 
better tlian in any of the schools with which we are ac- 
quainted. The graded system was adopted a few years 
ago and has worked to the satisfaction of nearly everyone. There 
are three school buildings, known as the East, West, and Academy 
schools. In these schools for 187G, and 1877, were employed seven 
teachers, under the superintendency of Prof. .1. IT. Graham, an 
^experienced and efflcient instructor and director, as follows: Sadie 
Hamilton, Assistant ; Miss E. J. A'ose, teacher in the grammer 
school; Miss Nancy Morgan, intermediate; Misses Lou Brink- 
meyer, Julia Barnes, and Addie Durham, primary. So far as we 
can learn all give good satisfaction. The average salary paid 
these teachers is $53 per month. Average number of pupils in 
attendance is 330. The following named gentlemen compose the 
present Board of School Directors : B. F. Bradbury, J. A. Ifam- 
ilton, and A. T. Irwin. 

Tiiere are five denominations of Christians having organizations 
in this village, viz : I'resbyterians, Missionary Baptists, Free Will 
Baptists, Congregationalists, and Methodists. Ea<;hof these have 
good comfortable church edifices. Taking into consideration the 
number and excellent quality of the schools, and the number of 
churches,with large and efficient memberships, it is not to be won- 
dered that Prairie City is a moral and religious town, and that 
temperance generally prevails. License has only occasionally been 
granted bv some of the Town Boards for the sale of intoxicating 



()50 HISTORY OF m'doNOUGH COUNTY. 

liquors. In the early part of 1874, a saloon was opened by a Mr. 
Colwcll, the result ot which was evil, so much so as to attract tlie 
attention of the noble-hearted women of the town, and they de- 
termined, if possible to avert the danger ere it was too late ; ac- 
cordingly they presented the following to the Board of Trustees at 
a special meeting held March 6, 1877, which had the desired ef- 
fect : 

" We, the women of Prairie City, respectfully inquire whether 
if Mr. Cohvell now ceases to retail intoxicating drinks in Prairie 
City, you will return to him such part of the money he paid on 
his present license as will be the proportion for the time from 
which he ceases until the close of his term of license ? We regret 
exceedingly the necessity of our seeming in any way to interfere 
with the management of civil affairs in our village, but our hearts 
have been pained for months by the result of the liquor traffic to 
the unfortunate victims of intemperance and their defenseless 
families. The time has come, in our jadgment, when it should 
cease — must cease." 

Thus the efforts of a few resolute women, in their weakness 
accomplished what man, in his boasted strength, could not do. 

The old cemetery one-half mile north of town was used as a 
final resting place for the dead but a few yea^s, when, becoming 
too small, and no land adjacent could be purchased, it was 
thought best to purchase a larger tract, and therefore a five-acre 
lot was purchased one mile northwest of town, and is now known 
as the new cemetery. 

On the seventeenth day of December, 1873, a vote was taken 
for or against organizing as a village, under the general law of the 
State, resulting in its almost unanimous adoption, only four votes 
being polled against it. Under this law the village Trustees have 
greater power than is bestowed upon the town Trustees under the 
old organization. The first annual election for village Trustees 
occurred Tuesday, April 21, 1874, the following named gentlemen 
being elected as members of the board : T. Ij. !Magee, president; 
A. T. Irwin, A. Burr, J, Alex, Hamilton, J, S. Alexander and 
John T. Davis; clerk, R. D. Stevens. 

The first resolution passed by the board was in favorance. and 
the first ordinance was upon the same subject. The following 
named persons have since been elected members of the board of 
trustees: 1875 — J. E, Dunham, president; A. T. Irwin, J. F. Davis, 



HISTORY OF M'DONOl'tai COUNTY. 051 

J. Alex. Hamilton, B. F. Bradbury, and A Lanpliere. 1870 — T. 
L. Magee, president; A. T. Irwin, J. It. Wilson, J. S. Alexander, 
.J.F.Davis, and AV. J. Randolph. C. W, Taylor is the present 
village clerk. 

I'rairie City has seldom been without its weekly paper. In 
April, 1857, B. W. Seaton began the lirst publication of the Prai- 
rie City Chronicle, which continued about one year, when it was 
merged into the Prairie Chief, and published in the interests ot 
the Good Templars. This sheet was continued but a short time. 
The next was the Prairie Chicken, a small seven by nine sheet, 
which soon took its flight to other regions. In 1869, the Prairie 
City Herald was established by Chas. W. Taylor. This paper 
has obtained a national reputation — its short, pungent editorials 
being copied in almost every sheet throughout the Union. 

As showing the amount of business transacted by the railroad 
company, from figures furnished by Hon. "VV. McCredie, Freight 
Auditor of the road, we glean the following: For the past five 
years there were shipped an average each year of corn, 205 cars; 
oats, 29 ; rye, 35 ; cattle, 43 ; hogs, 80 ; flour, 2 ; other freight, 96. 
Received during the same time, per year : lumber, 84 cars; agri- 
cultural implements, 4; merchandise, 107 ; other freights, 24. A 
total of 449 shipped and 218 received. 

A better class of dwelling houses are shown in this town than 
in many of its size in the country, while the business houses are 
good, but none of any special pretensions. There are several 
business firms in the village worthy of a special notice, among 
which we may mention the following : 

Alonzo Barnes. — This gentleman, in compan}^ with Major Par- 
ker, as we have before remarked, was the first to open a stock of 
merchandise in the place, as early as 1854, nearh' two years before 
the completion of the railroad ; and from that time to the present 
has never been out of the mercantile trade. Major I'arker re- 
mained but a short time, when he withdrew^, Mr. Barnes continu- 
ing the stoi'e until 1869, when he disposed of his interest, and at 
once engaged in the hardware trade, which business he yet fol- 
lows, having a large and profitable trade. His place of business 
is on the corner of Smith and Main streets, and his main salesroom 
is crowded with everything pertaining to the hardware trade. 
Especial attention is given to heating and cooking stoves, and tiie 
best manufactures in the country are represented. In builders' 
hardware he carries as fine an assortment as can be found in tlie 



652 iiisTOHY OF m'doxougii county. 

county. Tie is also engaged in the manufacture of tin and sheet 
iron ware, and will do job work in this line as low as can be done 
in the county, and warrant all work. In an adjoining room he 
carries a tine line of furniture, which should be examined before 
purchasing. 

W. F. Taylor is one of Prairie City's most enterprising young 
men. Wilbur came to this place in 1867, and opened a small 
stock of books and stationery in a room on Main street, and, like 
thousands of others, had a hard time in estahlishing a trade. But 
pluck and determination will accomplish wonders, and we there- 
tore see "Wilbur, after a lapse of ten years, enjoying a satisfactory 
trade, which increases year by year. His stock comprises every 
article usually found in a book and notion house suitable for the 
wants and desires of the people of this neighborhood. Wilbur 
deserves success, and should have it. 

Andrew Burr. — This gentleman came to Prairie City in its 
infancy, and soon thereafter engaged in mercantile trade, and ever 
since has been one of her leading business men — one who stands 
high in the estimation of his fellow-citizens in the town and coun- 
try surrounding. In his store, on Washington street, near the 
depot, may be found a full line of staple and fancy groceries, 
builders' hardware, paints and oils. He also deals extensively in 
lumber, a good stock of which he always has in his yard near his 
store, and at prices as low as can be obtained elsewhere in the 
county. That he may continue to enjoy success in trade is the 
desire of all his many friends. 

^S'. P. Tohie. — Sixteen years ago this gentleman opened in the 
jewelry business in this city, and has since met with good success, 
lu his store room on Main street may be found a full line of the 
latest styles of jewelry, silverware, and all brands of the cele- 
brated American watches. As a workman Mr. Tobie is A N^o. 1, 
and all work entrusted to his care will be done to the satisfaction 
of his patrons, and guaranteed in every respect. Besides his jew- 
elry stock may be found here a fine line of the celebrated Reming- 
ton breech-loading shot guns, revolvers, and cartridges. In this 
line Mr. T. undoubtedly carries the best assortment in the county. 

J. A. Hamilton. — Mr. II. came to this place in 1855, and com- 
menced business as a dealer in boots and shoes, continuing the 
same for ten years. lie was the first to engage in this line of 
trade in the town. In 1865 he purchased a stock of clothing and 
gents' furnishing goods, since which time he has continued in 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUC.H COUNTY. 653 

this trade, together with that ot furniture and musical instru- 
ments. He has at all times a good assortment of all kinds of 
goods in his line, and, together with his salesman, will endeavor 
to please all who favor him with their patronage. You can't 
find a better place at which to trade. 

JB. F. Bradbury. — Is the proprietor of the leading dry goods 
and grocery houses of this village, and one well worthy the liber- 
al patronage he has so long enjoyed, and the confidence and re- 
spect of his fellow citizens, not onlj' in the town but in the sur- 
rounding country. One of the first to engage in the mercantile 
trade here was L. H. Eradbury, the father of the present propri- 
etor, who soon after received as a partner his son, and the firm was 
long known asL. II. Bradbury & Son. In 1874, the senior Brad- 
bury retired, leaving the business in the hands of its present owner, 
who will doubtless continue the same for many years. Mr. 
B. has a large and commodious store room on the corner of Main 
and Washington streets where may be found a large and well se- 
lected stock of dry goods, notions, boots, shoes, hats, caps, staple 
and fancy groceries, glass and queensware, etc., etc. Mr. B's. long 
business experience enables him to buy goods at bottom figures, 
which, together with his judgment in selecting the best quality 
and the latest styles of goods, enables him to offer his trade su- 
perior inducements. "A liberal man deviseth liberal things," says 
the wise man of old, and believing in the truth of the maxim, we 
have no hesitancy in recommending this gentleman to all our 
readers as a representative man of his town. 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 

1877. 

BAKER. 

Trumphy, Ileiiry, north side of Main, near depot. 

B.VNK. 

First National Bank, .south side of jVfaiu. 

BARBERS. 

Humphrey, David. WashiuKtnn Street, near Main. 
Young, S, S., south .side of Main, near Smith. 

lU.ACKsMirn.'^. 

Bivcns cfe Taft, Main, near Center. 
Robertson, H., Main, near Centre. 
Steach. U.i^., Main, near Centre. 
Sleach, R. R., Main, near Ohio. 

Books and .stationery. 
Taylor Bros., north siileof Main, near Smith. 



654 HISTOUY OF M DONOUGH COUNTY. 



HOOT AND SIlOIOMAKICItS. 

(,'ebliarilt, Henrv, south side of Main. 

kiise, James A., souili side of Main, near Ohi >. 

Dean, C. A.. Main. 

liHOoM .maki;k. 

Yinnin;-', J. 1?., Main, near railroad. 

CABINET MAKERS. 

David, S., east si li' of Smith, near Washington. . 
Risley, Micliael. 

CAKPEKTEll. 

I'hillips, A., west .side of Washington. 

CLOTHING. 

Davis, J. F., south side of Main, near Washington. 
Hamilton, J. A , south side oi Main, near Washington. 

DRESS MAKERS. 

Burt, Mrs. Marv, east side of Washington, near Main. 
Foresnmn, Mrs! E. B., north side of Main, near Smith. 

DRUGGISTS. 

Brinkerhoff, K. L. M., Main Street. 
Krieder, W. L. & Co., Main Street 

DRY GOODS, BOOTS, SHOES AND Nt)T10NS 

livadburv. B. F., corner of Main nud Washington Streets. 
Mead, a!, southeast corner of iMain and Washington Streets. 

FURNITURE, 

Barnes, Alonzo, northeast corner of Main and Smith Streets. 
Hamilton, J. A., south side of Main near Washington. 

GROCERIES. 

Bradbury. B. F., corner of Main and Washington Streets. 
Burr, A," Washington Street near the depot. 
Harrah, C. A., Main Street near the railroad. 
White, K., corner of Main and Washington Streets. 
Lyons, F. C, south side of Main Street near the railroad. 

GUN DEALER. 

Tobie, S. P.. south side of Main near Smith Street. 

HARDWARE. 

Barnes, Alonzo, corner of Main and Smith Streets. 
Burr, A., Washington Street near the depot. 

HOTELS. 

City Hotel, C. Hcminover, proprieter, Washington near Main Street. 

JEWELRY, CLOCKS AND WATCHES. 

Tobie, S. P., Main near Smith Street. 
Wagoner, A. H., Wiushington near Main Street. 

LAWYERS. 

Boynton, E. A., south side of Main near Washington Street. 
Sanford, H. C, Washington Street. 

LIVERY STABLES. 

CJombs, Robert, Washington Street. 
Everly, George V., City Hotel. 

LUMBER. 

Burr, A.. Wa.sV.inr.ton Street, near depot. 
Kendrick, T. L. , Washiugtoii Street, near depot. 

MEAT MARKET. 

Wiiite, E., corner J'^ast Main and Washington Street. 

MILLS. 

Central Mills, J. B. Fast, corner Main and ('enter Streets. 
Eag'e Mills, Joshua I.arkins, AVashington Street, near depot. 
Prairie Citv Mills, John K. Dunham. 



HISTORY OF m'donoic;!! couxtv. G5i 



MILLISKRY AND DIIESS MAKING. 

Cliapin, Miss N. C, north side Main Street, near Smith. 
Hoyt, Mrs. A. R. north side Main Street. 
Hippit, Mrs. J., south side Main Strcec, near railroad, 
llobart, Mrs., south side Main Street, near Smith. 

PHOTOGRAPHER. 

Durliam Susan, Mrs., north side Main Street, near Smith. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Krieder, W. L., Main Street. 

Magee, T. L., soutli si(ie Main Street, near Wasliintrlon. 

VVestfall, A. .M., Main and WHsliington Street. 

Vose, Julia Mrs., north side Main Street. 

POSTMASTKH. 

Smith, Ezra D., corner Main and Sniith Streets. 

PAPERS AND PRINTER.?. 

"Prairie City Herald," H. B. Tayi.ir, Editor, office corner Main and Smitli Streets. 

RESTAUUANTS. 

("lark, Tliomas. Washington Street, near Main. 
Foster, Z. A., Maui Street. 

SADDLE AND HARNIiS.S MAKERS. 

Magee, A., south side Mtin Street, near Smith. 
McCartney, E. C. . north side Main Street, near Smith. 

STATION AGENT. 

Irwin, A. T., also E.xpress Agent. 

TAILORS. 

Bycrly, John, Washington Street. 

WAGON MAKERS. 

Stench, (Jeortic C, Main Street near Center. 

WoodniMHsce, F. A., (also carriage), corner of Main and Ohio. 

Bivens. Thomas IC, Main Street. 



656 HISTORY OK m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XLIV. 



BUSHNELL. 



The thriving city of Bushnell is most beautifully situated, and 
surrounded by the fiuest country in the Military Tract. In 1854, 
before the completion of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- 
road, John D. llail, of Macomb, sold a two-third interest in the 
northeast quarter of section 33, 7 n., 1 w., to D. P. Wells and 
Iverson L. Twyman, also of the city of Macomb, and the three 
together determined on the establishment of a town on that site. 
William II. Rile, Esq., then County Surveyor, under the direction 
of Messrs. Hail, Twyman and Wells, laid oif the town, running 
the streets parallel with the railroad, which had then been graded 
through the proposed site, and which extended across the quarter, 
entering thirty-five chains south ol the southwest corner, and 
passing out the same number of chains north of the northeast 
quarter. The quarter was divided into forty-eight blocks of 
twelve lots each, the blocks being 360 feet square. Two streets, 
running parallel with the railroad, one on either side, were made 
seventy feet wide, and all others sixty. 

The first public sale of lots was made in May, 1854. About 
seventy lots were sold, realizing about ^^6,000, the prices varying 
from $30 to $120 each. 

The town was named in honor of Hon. Is". Bushnell, at that 
time President of the Northern Cross Railroad, the name by 
which the present Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad was 
then known. 

WHien the town was laid out there was nothing on its proposed 
site but a large "wolf pole," a pole erected on the highest emi- 
nence in the neighborhood where it could be seen by the parties 
engaging in the wolf hunt and to which all would tend, meeting 



HISTORY OF m'doxough county. 657 

in one common center. The nearest house was Iliram Markham's, 
three miles west. For miles around not a rod of land was en- 
closed by a fence, and not a road was located in the neighborhood. 
The country was just as wild as when created by the Author ot 
the Universe, and upon the trackless prairies there was as much 
danger of being lost as in a dense forest. In 1855, John Ilen- 
drickson, at present station agent at Bardolph, then a young man 
of seventeen or eighteen years of age, became lost on the prairie 
between the present site of the towns of Prairie City and Bush- 
ncll. He became so bewildered as night came on, that he could 
not tell the direction in which he was going, and wandered around 
in a circle. Xot retarning at night, his father organized a party 
to search for him, and with lanterns and guns they started out. 
The dismal howl of the prairie wolf could be heard upon every 
hand and the heart of the young man became faint, indeed, as the 
hours wore on. He was aftaid to cry out, for fear of starting the 
wolves, but the party in his search had no such fears, and ever 
and anon they would call out his name. Finally, he heard the 
call and faintly answered. Soon the party closed around him, 
and the lost was found, and glad enough he was to be rescued. 
lie now thinks the click of the telegraph instrument is music far 
preferable to the howl of the prairie wolf, especially as it sounded 
on his ears about twenty years ago. 

Twyman, AYells & Hail erected the first business house, which 
they sold to Iliram Markham, who brought the iirst stock of mer- 
chandise to the town. The stock was not very large, but it 
answered the wants of the people at that day. 

William Cord, Iliram Markham, and William Vickers were the 
first to erect dwelling houses in the place. John Crawford com- 
menced the erection of the first hotel, but before completion sold 
it to John D. Hail, who, in the summer of 1855, completed the 
same and opened it for the accommodation of the traveling 
public. 

The growth of the town was not very rapid the first year, the 
railroad not being completed and the people not accustomed ta 
push things through with lightning speed. But in the second 
year, as the sound of the locomotive's whistle could be heard in 
the distance, they began to pour in, and by the time the merry 
call of the conductor, "all aboai'd,"' was heard the town was fairly 
alive, and the spirit of young America seemed to pervade every 
citizen of the little village, and dreams of future growth and great- 



()58 HISTORY OK m'ik)N()1'G1I COUNTY. 

ness pervaded the minds of all. A class of citizens came to the 
village possessed of indomitable perseverance and grit and with a 
determination to make the town one of the best in the State of 
Illinois. Among the early settlers who worked fer the best inter- 
est of the place we recall the names of lliram Markham, James 
Cole, James Kelly, Dr. Clarke, Daniel ISTegley, James Smith, 
Hunt, A. Everett, A. lless, and S. A. Hendee. 

The original proprietors of the place, imbued with a spirit of 
liberality, gave to the town two blocks of laud — one on the east 
side of the railroad, and one on the west. They also gave lots to 
such religious denominations as would build houses of worship. 
We find, therefore, to-day two beautiful parks and several beauti- 
ful and pleasant church edifices, and the ccommunity a strictly 
moral and intelligent one. 

The first three or four years were disastrous to the welfare of 
the town, in consequence, principally, of the failure of the crops. 
Many farms had been opened, but the farmers had used up all 
their means in improvements, trusting they would be rewarded 
with good crops, which, failing them, left them in debt to the 
merchants of the place. The consequence of this state of affairs 
was that the merchants were unable to meet their bills, which 
caused the suspension of several. IS'otwithstanding all this, im- 
provements were constantly made, buildings for stores and dwell- 
ings were being erected, and the population was rapidly increasing. 

In 1867, the T., P. & W. Railroad surveyed a line through the 
place, and the city subscribed to its capital stock, to aid in its 
completion. Many persons prophesied that by the introduction of 
the cross-roads the town would be killed, as all the country trade 
would be lost. Well, says Bushnell, to offset this we will erect a 
few manufactories. The extensive factory of JSTelson, LaTourette 
& Co., for the manufacture of pumps, wind-mills, furniture and 
croquet, was first erected, soon followed by the Lallarpe Cultiva- 
tor Works of Pierpont & Tuttle, which is doing a verv large and 
constantly increasing business. Other manufactories we observe, 
among the number being Messrs. Ball <fe Sons, cari-iage builders, 
Ayres & Decker, barbed wire fence, John W. McDonough, rustic 
furniture. These are but the nucleus around which others will 
gather in time,andwe look forward to see the time when the place 
will be a large manufacturing point. AVith its railroad and other 
facilities there is really nothing to hinder. 



HISTORY OF m'uONOUGH COUNTY. 650 

During the past year, changes have taken phicc in the location 
of the passenger depots of the Galesburg and 8t. Jjouis divisions 
of the 0. B. & Q. raih'oads. The two have been consolidated and 
removed up to the junction of the two roads. This will be a 
great convenience to the traveling public, and will be appreciated 
by them. The entire management of the station business is now 
controlled by the pleasant and accommodating A. II. McGahan. 

Great improvements liave been made in general appearance of 
the city in the past few j'ears. New walks have been laid, the 
streets all put in good repair, and all things now wear an air ot 
neatness to be commended. Two beautiful parks, one on either 
side of the railroad, capable of holding several thousand people, 
are thrown open to the public and afford a pleasant place for pic- 
nic parties, public speaking, etc. 

During the year 1876, at a cost of about S20,000, the cit\' 
erected a high school building, which is an ornament to it. In 
this, as in all other matters, Bushnell docs not propose to be out- 
done, but intends that her public schools shall be the best. We 
trust she will ever be animated with this ambition. Our public 
schools are the hope of the nation, and upon their success or fail- 
ure depend the future of the republic. 

The various benevolent and reformatoiw societies are well repre- 
sented, there being flourishing lodges ot Masons, Odd Fellows, 
United Workmen and Good Templars. The Odd Fellows have 
lately fitted up one of the neatest lodge rooms in this part of the 
iState. Bushnell has many live firms in her midst,quite a number of 
whom special mention is made further on in this article. To 
transact the business of the place we find three agricultural imple- 
ment dealers, one national bank, two bakeries, three barber shops, 
four blacksmith shops, two books and stationery, four boot and 
shoe manufactories, four carpenter shops, three cigar manufacto- 
ries, four clothing stores, one coal yard, eleven dry goods stores, 
two dentists, five dress making establishments, four drug stores, 
one foundry and machine shop, three furniture dealers, thirteen 
grocery stores, three hardware stores, three harness shops, five 
hotels, two justices of the peace, two jewelry stores, five law firms, 
two livery stables, two lumber yards, two marble works, four meat 
markets, five millinery stores, two mills, two newspapers, two pic- 
ture galleries, four painters, six physicians, one piano and organ 
dealer, two real estate agents, ten restaurants and confectioners, 



660 HISTORY OF m'donough county. 

two scwino; macbine agents, two tailor shops, one veterinary 
surgeon, four wagon and carriage makers, one wire fence manu- 
factory. 

The Gleaner, published early in tlie year 1877, in an article upon 
tlie trade and business of the place during the previous year, 
irives much useful information, from which we a'lean the foUowinij 

O CO 

facts : 

During the year there was expended in building $40,000; for 
grain, $500,000; for stock, $255,715; merchandise sold $600,200; 
manufactured articles produced, $280,000, or a total ot $1,766,015 
used in the transaction of the business ot the city. To this might 
be added uneuumerated business not given by the Gleaner, which 
wouk\ swell the amount to $1,800,000. 

Pierpont & Tuttle, in the same time, made 4,500 cultivators, 
1,000 double shovels, 100 ground plows, 500 hand cultivators. 
The firm employed about 50 hands. 

It required about 3,400 cars to ship the grain purchased by 
Bushnell men. 

A Library Association was organized in January, 1869, under 
act of the Legislature approved March 3, 1845. The association 
has now about 1,000 volumes, comprising the principal standard 
works and popular works of the present day. The following 
named persons are its present othcers: W. J. Frisbie, President; 
Solon Bemfel, Secretary and Librarian; J. P. Kay, Treasurer. 

At an election held March 24,1869, for or against the adoption 
of a City Charter, there w^ere polled 284 votes for and 24 against 
the proposition. At the first annual election for city officers, held 
April 5, 1869, the following named persons were elected: J. B. 
Cummings, Mayor. Aldermen, 1st ward — Manning F. West, one 
year; James W. Kelly, two years. Aldermen, 2d Ward — James 
Ayres, one year; James Cole, two years. Aldermen, 3d Ward — 
William II. Oglcsby, one year ; I. N. McElvain, two years. Al- 
dermen, 4th Ward — Fisher Brown, one year; A. E. Barnes, two 
years. M. A. Luce, Attorney and Clerk ; Joseph Parks, Treas- 
urer; Garret Nevius, Treasurer. 

Since 1869, officers have been elected as follows: 

1870— 3/ai/or- -John B. Cummings ; Attorney and Clerk— M. A. Luce: Mnn'hal—C. C. Morse ; Alder- 
men— Firat ward, F,. I). C. Haines ; Sei'ond ward, 1). M. Wychoff ; Third ward, W. H. Oglesby ; 
Fourtli ward, S. A. Hendee ; Against license. 

1871 — Mayor — J. U. Pearson; Clerk— F^. E. Chesney ; Marshal— C. C. "SUtrac : Aldermen— Virsit ward, 
Pardon Woolley ; Second ward, James Ayera ; Third ward, William Slirceves ; Fourth ward, 
Garrett S. Nevius ; For license. 



HISTORY OF M DONOUGH COUNTY, 



6G1 



1872— Afa!/o)-- J. B.Cununings; Clerk— E. E. Chesnej- ; 3/ars'tre; -George Davis; Aldcrnicyi— First 

ward, Joseph Hoover ; Seeond ward, D. M. Wychofl'; Third ward, G. Wenzel ; Fourth ward, 

A. E. Barnes ; Against license, only fourteen vote.s for. 
1873— JUTdynr— Stockton West; Clerk— G, C. Redings; JJfar.'.7(a;— Robert Ferguson ; AMermen— First 

ward, A. Downey; Second ward, Jasper Clark; Third ward, William Shreeves; Fourth ward, 

S. A. Hendee. 
1874— Afayor— Stockton W'est ; Clerk— G. S. Ridings; Marxhal—li. H. Ferguson; .,4 Merman— First 

ward, J. H. Smith; Second ward. R. W. Wheeler; Third ward, E. K. Westfall; Fourth ward, 

A. E. Barnes. 
1875— J. B. Cumminps, Mayor. G. H. McElvain, Clerk. R. H. Ferguson, ^farshal. Aldermen— 

First ward, B. F. Nickey (long term); E. D. C. Haines (short term); Second ward, R. W. 

Wheeler ; Third ward, J. E. Chandler; Fourth ward, Thomas Cochran. 
1870— Stockton West, A/ayor. G. H. McElvain, C/rrA:. F.Deuel, Marshal. Aldermen— First vi&T A, yv. 

F. Beadles; Second ward, J. Dennis; Third ward, J. G. Shreeves; Fourth ward, A. E. 

Barnes — against license. 

TABLE OF DISTANCES FROM BUSHNELL OVER THE T., P. & W. RAILROAD TO— 



New Philadelphia 


MlI.ES. 


Seottsburg 

(iood Hope 

Siriota 

Blandinsville 

LaHarpe 

LaCrosse 

Burnside 

Ferris 

McCall 


Miles. 
5 


Stonington 

Seville 

Smithfield 


10 

13 

16 


9 

13 

19 


Cuba 

Civer 


21 

2G 


25 

29 


Canton 


z\ 


34 


Rawalts 


34 


39 


Breeds 

Glas.siord 


37 

43 


41 

48 


Mapleton 

Orctiard Mines 


48 

51 


Hamilton 


52 

53 


Hollis 

Peoria 

El Paso 

Gilman 


52 

60 

92 

146 


Warsaw 

Cisco 

Iowa 

Burlington 


57 

29 

35 


State Lino 


M(\ 









TABLE OF DISTANCES FROM BUSHNELL. OVER C, B. AND Q. R. R., TO- 



Quincy 

Fowler 


utiles. 

71 

GO 


Chicago 


Miles. 

192 

179 


Paloma 

Coatsburg 


,57 

,55 

50 


Sterling 

Rock Island Crossing... 


126 

89 


('amp Point 


Moline 


86 


T., W. and W. Junction 


44 

42 

35 

31 

26 

20 


Orion 


67 


LaPrairie 


Lynn 


63 


Augusta 

Plymouth 

Colroer 

Tennessee 


Alpha 

Rio 

N. Henderson 

Alexis 


54 

49 

45 

40 


(;olchester 


18 


. 34 


Macomb 

Bardolph 


12 

!.'."!'.!"..!....'. 5 

s 


Monmouth 

Lennox 


28 

22 


I'rairie City 


Koseville 


16 


Avon 


Swan Creek.. 


11 


St. Augustine 


13 

19 


Youngstown 


10 


Abingdon 






Saluda 


90 

114 


PJpperson 




Galesburg 




9 


Hannibal 


Table (irove 


14 


Louisiana 


Vermont 


19 


Knoxville 


:?3 

51 

;a 


Astoria 


25 


Yates City 


Baders 


30 


Elmwood 




34 


Peoria 

Burlington 


81 

.58 

m 


Frederick 

Beardstown 


40 

43 


Wataga 




53 


» )neida 


40 




58 


Altona 


44 




62 


(ialva 


51 




70 


Kewanee 


60 


White Hall 

Greenfield 

Sheffield 


87 


Bnda 


74 


99 


Wyonet 


80 


104 


Princeton 


N6 


Brighton „ 

Upper Alton 

Alton Junction 


121 


Mendota 


108 


13'' 


Sandoval 


135 

\hA 


_ 132 


Aurora 


Alton 

St. Louis 


137 


Napierville 


162 


154 



H— 42 



662 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Description of School Building. — Elsewhere will be found a 
beautiful illustration of the High School building, which is situ- 
ated on block eight, Hess' addition. As will be observed, the 
building is two stories in height, with basement, the latter of 
which is built of stone, and the two upper stories of red brick. 
The basement is eight feet in height, divided into four rooms, and 
used for storage, etc. The engine for heating the building is situ- 
ated therein. Each of the upper stories are divided into four 
recitation rooms, each in size 28x32 feet, fourteen feet high, while 
there are halls, closets, etc., connected with and leading into the 
various rooms. The building is capable of accommodating, with- 
out inconvenience, five hundred pupils. In addition to this, the 
city has two other buildings, used for school purposes — one in 
the third, and one in fourth ward. The high school building was 
designed by William Quaye, Peoria, Illinois, and built by Charles 
Ulrichson, Peoria, and is said by good judges to be iirst-class in 
«very respect. It was commenced August, 1876, and completed 
■July, 1877. The School Board, under whose supervision the work 
was performed, was composed of the following named mem- 
bers : S. West, President ; and E. D. C. Haines, W. J. Frisbie, 
J. B. Cummings and S. C. Haines, members; G. H. McElvain, 
Secretary. The present School Board is composed of the follow, 
ing named persons: William T, Beadles, President; C. A. Bald- 
win, R. S. Randall, J. W. Sparks and J. L. Griffith, members- 
M. Lovely, Secretary. 

The school grounds comprise a whole block, and is enclosed on 
three sides with a neat plank fence, stripped and capped; and in 
front, on the east, with iron picket. The playgrounds are 200x 
360 feet. The outhouses are ot brick, one on each side, and about 
200 feet from the building. 

The city ot Bushnell deserves great credit for the erection of 
this building, which is the largest in the whole county, being in 
size 78x81 feet, covering 6,118 square feet, and costing $20,000. 
With a full corps of efficient teachers in every department, with a 
school board alive to the best interests of education, the schools 
of this city will rank with any in the county or State. The fol- 
lowing named are the teachers employed for the session of 1877- 
78: Abram ISTeff, Superintendent; Eli Fisher, Assistant Supt.; 
Mrs. Agnes Sparks, grammar A ; Mrs. Richmond, grammar B ; 
Mrs. Iliggins, first intermediate; Mrs. Brooks, second interme- 
diate ; Miss Hattie Woodman, first primary ; Mrs. Richardson, 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 663 

second primary; Miss Aline McGee, third primary; Miss Eva 
Anderson, fourth primary. 

W. J. Frisbie. — Among the enterprising citizens ot Bushnell, 
none do more, or has its interests more at heart, than William J. 
Frisbie, who came to this city eight or ten years ago and pur- 
chased a stock of drugs, etc., continuing the business to the pres- 
ent time. He is pleasant and agreeable to every one, be he child 
or man, and the same care which he w^ould take to secure the favor 
ot one he would take for that of the other. We have said that 
none have the interest of the city more at heart; this is true, and 
is often exhibited. In the cause of education he has taken spe- 
cial interest, and has done much to advance the grade of the pub- 
lic schools. During the years 1876 and 1877 he was a member of 
the School Board, and gave much of his time to superintend the 
construction of the new school house which is an ornament to the 
city. In the discharge of his private business afiairs he brings to 
bear a strong will and determination, with pleasant and agreeable 
manners, and therefore has many friends and a legitimate trade 
second to none in the county. His stock consists of everything 
in the line of drugs, patent medicines, paints, oils, glass, drug- 
gists' sundries, etc. 

T. F. Seihert. — Mr. Seibert came to Bushnell about the year 1867, 
and for a time clerked for James Cole, but in 1863, in company 
with Lemuel Aller opened a store on East Main street, Bushnell, 
under the firm name of Aller, Seibert & Co., the co-partnership 
continuing until the spring of 1871, when he purchased the inter- 
est of his partners, continuing alone to the present time. Mr. S. 
is a pleasant and accommodating gentleman, one who thoroughly 
understands his business, and well deserves the patronage he re- 
ceives. One feature of this store deserves special mention, and 
that is the quality of goods. Great care is taken in the selection 
of the stock, and none but the best goods are purchased, the house 
having built up an excellent reputation and a good trade in con- 
sequence of this fact. The knowledge that an article came from 
Seibert's is a sufficient guarantee of its superior quality. Mr. 
Seibert is located in Andrew's block, East Main street. 

M. L. Walker. — This gentleman is the successor of G. C. Rid- 
ings in the jewelry trade, and is found occupying room with W. 
J. Frisbie, on East Main street. Although a young man, Mr. 
Walker is a first-class workman, and thoroughly understands his 
trade, and all work left in his hands will be attended to to the 



664 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

satisfaction of those who favor him with their orders. His stock 
of watches, clocks, plated ware and jewelry, is as large as any 
house in the county, and in quality and price he stands head. We 
take pleasure in recommending him to the readers of this work. 

West, Kaiser & Co. — iSTo firm in McDonough county is better 
known than that of West, Kaiser & Co., now occupying the large 
three story brick on West Main street, and having three sales- 
rooms each eighty by twenty feet. It has been but a few short 
years since the Kaiser Bros, came to this city and opened a small 
stock of general merchandise, but these few years have witnessed 
a great change in their affairs. The little one horse store has 
grown to mammoth proportions and the lirm now carry the largest 
stock and enjoy the largest trade of any single store in the county. 
Each of the three salesrooms are used for a special department, 
the first on the south being used for their grocery stock, the sec- 
ond or middle room for dry goods, and third or north room for 
clothing. Let the season be what it may, each of these rooms 
are always crowded with goods an<^ customers. To an outsider 
it would seem the firm never experienced dull times. The reason 
for this success may be summoned up as follows : Large stocky 
adaptability to the market, pleasant and accommodating disposi- 
tion of both proprietors and salesmen. 

D. N. Wisherd. — Situated in the midst of a splendid county, 
rapidly improving in wealth and steadily increasing in popula- 
tion, and at the crossing of three different railroads, Bushnell can 
not help becoming a good point for quick distribution of manu- 
factures and general merchandise. Recognizing this fact, Mr. D. 
X. Wisherd, one of the most enterprising and accommodating 
business men in the State, began about the year 1872, in connec- 
tion with a general retail trade, the wholesale trade in oysters and 
fresh fruit. During the summer, or fruit season, he begins early 
by receiving invoices of the same from as far south as the State 
of Tennessee, and closes up by receiving the growth of the north- 
ern States of Michigan and Minnesota. In fresh oysters, the 
season begins in September and ends late in the spring. In this 
latter trade he fills regularly orders from north, south, east and 
west, and will always duplicate Chicago prices, thus saving trans- 
portation. Such enterprise is to be commended and encouraged, 
and we trust the trade of Mr. Wisherd will continue to grow, aa 
it assuredly will. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 665 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 



ACRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. 

Kelly ct Hoover, corner of Ilurstand Craflford Streets. 
Miner, .lames. West Main Street. 
Harris & Pearson, East Main Street. 

BANKS. 

rarmers' National Bank. West Main Street. 



Wisherd, D. N.. Hail Street. 
Franii, Chas., East Main Street. 



•Couch, W. H., opposite American House. 
Harper & Wagsouer, East Main Street. 
McDouald, C. H., West Main Street. 

BLACKS.MITHS. 

Ayres, James, Hail Street 

JIcElvaine & Shaughnessey, Hurst Street. 

McGehu, Hail street. 

Albright, Hurst street. 

BOOKS AND STATIONERY. 

Kandall, R. S.. east Hail street. 
Bradfield, J. A., Postoffice building. 

BOOT AND SHOE MANUFACTURERS. 

Schharr, Adam, east Main street. 
Winkle, L., east Hail street. 

CARPENTER AND BUILDER. 

■Colyflower. Dave, Hurst street. 
Davidson & Co., east Mnin street. 
Dodge, Frank P., west Main street. 
Sample & Nickey, west Main street. 

CIGAR MANUFACTURERS. 

Davey, Gardiner & Sorter, west Main street. 
Kreig, Ferdinand, west Main street. 
Angle, Henry, east Main street. 

CLOTHING. 

Alcan, P., east Main street. 
■Siebert, T. F., east Main street. 
West, Kaiser & Co., west Main street. 
2einer, L., east Main street. 

COAL. 

Couch, Thomas, yard, east Main street. 

DRY GOODS, BOOTS AND SHOES. 

Aller, Lem., 36 east Main street. 
■Cole & Co., corner Hail and Main streets. 
Haynes, J. W., east Main stre^'t. 
Hey & Scott, 8 east Main street. 
Hendee, S. A., west Main street. 
Henry & Co., east Hail street. 
Hunt, "W. H., east Main street. 
Hunt, M. F., east Main street. 
Seibert, T. F., east Main street. 
Shreeves & Parks, Main and Hail streets. 
W'est, Kaiser <S: Co., west Main street. 



DENTISTS. 



James. Dr. J. A., Cole's block. 
Murphy, Dr. J. D., Hendee Block. 



DRF..SS MAKING. 

Funk, Miss L. W., west Main Street. 
Kerns, Miss Mattie, over Alcan's store. 
Mann, Mrs., east Main Street. 
McLean, Miss, over West, Kaiser & Co's. 
McCowan, Mrs., east Main Street. 



DRUGS, PAINTS AND 0II.S. 



Clarke & Co., J. s., west Main Street. 
Frisbie, W, J., east Main Street. 
Sparks & Bro. , east Main Street. 
Zook and Johnson, east Main Street. 



666 HSTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

FOUNDRY AND MACHINE SHOP. 

Wann & Balfour, near the railroad crossing. 

FURNITURE. 

MoDunongh Bros., (manufacture rustic) west Main Street. 
Miner, W. H., east Main Streot. 
Oblander Bros., west Main Street. 



Aller, Lem, No. .'56 east Main Street. 

Clarke, J S. & Co., wesi Main Street. 

Cole, J. & Co., corner of Hail and Main Streets. 

Coucli, Thoma.s, east Main Street. 

Fowler & Co., east Main Street. 

Haynes, J. VV., east Main Street. 

Hendee, S. A. & Co., west Main Street. 

Henry, Smith T., & Co., No. 999 east Hail Street. 

Hey & Scott, No. 8 east Main Street. 

Hunt, W. H., east Main Street. 

Shreeves & ParKs, corner of Main and Hail. 

Stevens, A. S., east Main Street. 

West, Kaiser & Co., west Main Street. 

HARDWARE, STOVES AND TINWARE. 

GrifTith, Amos & Co., west Main Street. 

Harris & Pearson, east Main Street. 

Kelley & Hoover, comer of Hurst and Crafford Streets. 

HARNESS AND SADDLES, 

Goeppinger, G., East Main. 
Leib, John, West Main. 
Schnarr & Beaver, Hurst, 

HOTELS. 

Bushnell House, S. Bradfield, proprietor, opposite C, B. & Q. depot. 
Hendee House, S. A. Hendee. proprietor, West Main Street. 82 per day. 
NationalHotcl, A. Hess, proprietor, Crafi'ord Street, opposite Eastparli. 
St. Charles Hotel, L. H. Green, proprietor. Hurst Street. 51-25 per day. 
Sorter House, Joseph Sorter, proprietor, opp. P. &, W. Depot. 

INSURANCE AGENTS. 

Spencer. W. A. 
Vail. J. C, 
Cummings. J, B. 
Hoover & McElvaiu. 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



Anderson, J. L., over the post office. 
Hunt, S. A., East Main. 



POLICE MAGISTRATE. 



Fox, G. W. 



Denning, J., East Hail. 
Walker, M. L., East Main, 



LAWYERS. 



Barnes & Fox, Hendee Block. 

Chesney, E. E., Bank block. 

McConnell, Jos. B., Cole's block. 

Oglesby, VV. H., East Main. 

Sanders, McKinuey & Sanders, Cole's block. 



LIVERY STABLES. 



Chandler & Sperling, West Main, 
Wood, G. F., West Main. 

LUMBER, LIME, HAIR AND CEMENT. 

Alexander & Haines, West Main. 
Griffith, Chidester & Co., West Main. 

MARBLE WORKS. 

Humes, M., East Main. 
Kachler, F. 

MEAT MARKET. 

Mill, John, East M lin. 
Nessel Brothers. Hail street. 
Spader & Hawn, west Main street. 
Stevens, A. J , east Main street. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 6G7 



MII-LINKRY AND FANCY GOODS. 



Pavison, Mrs. J. JI., west Main street. 
Kerns, Miss Mattie, over Aloan's. 
Knapp & Sister, Mrs., Masonic Block. 
Mann, Mrs., east Main street. 



Depot Mills. Ilicks ct Atwater, opposite C, B. and Q. R. R. Depot. 
Excelsior Mill, G. S. Nevius, proprietor. 



Fairman, T., Hail Street. 
Warner, E. F., Hail Street. 
Saville, Thomas, Hail street. 
Perrine, P. R., Hall street. 



NEWSPAPERS. 



Bnslinell Record (Republicau)— S. A Epperson, editor and proprietor. Office over postofBce. 
The Gleaner (Independent)— J. E. Cummings, editor and proprietor. Olfice west Main street, 
up stairs. 

PHOTOGKAPHS. 

Danley, R. C, west Hail Street. 

Shreeves & Corwin, No. 38 and 40 east Main street. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Beadles, W. T., over West, Kaiser &. Co. 
Kay, J. R., Cole's Block. 
Scroggs, R. G., Masonic Block. 
Wesifall. E. K., over Zook & Johnson. 
Sparks, J. W., east Main street. 

POSTMASTER. 

Epperson, S. A., Hail street. 

PIANOS, ORGANS, ETC. 

Perrine, John, S. & Co., Hail street. 

REAL ESTATE AGENTS. 

Haines, S. C, P. O. box 31. 

McElvaiu, G. H., agent B. & M. R. R. lands ; office in Cole's block. 

RESTAURANTS AND CONFECTIONERIES. 

Brockson, Ned, near depot. 
Bradfleld, J. A. (toys), in postofflce. 
Duke, S. A., west Main street. 
Depot Restaurant, T. L. Morgan, near depot. 
Frank, Chas. (bakery), east Main streets. 
Hamilton, A., east Main street. 
Lichtendahl, II., east Main street. 
Lauterbach, Wm., east Main street. 
Oblander, Henry, east Main street. 
Vance, J. M., opposite C, B. ifc Q. depot. 

SEWING MACHINE AGENTS. 

Swarfz, J. W'.. west Main street. 
J. S. Perrine i Co., east Hail street. 

STATION AGENTS. 

C, B. & Q. R. R.. A. H. McGahan. 
T., P. tt W., B. O. Mastic. 

TAILORS. 

Schrader, Peter, Cole's block. 
Walther. J., over West, Kaiser & Co.'s. 

VETERINARY SURGEON. 

Thompson. J. C, West Main, at Wood's stable. 

WAGON AND CARRIAGE MAKERS. 

Ayers, James. Hail Street. 

Ball & Sons, East .Main. 

Hall, E. E., Hurst Street. 

Smith, E. H.. Hurst Street, opposite the St. Charles. 

WIRE FENCE MANUFACTURER. 

Illinois Wire Fence Co., Hail Street. 



668 HISTORY OF m'donough county. 



CHAPTER XLY. 

BARDOLPH. 

Bardolpli was laid out August 3, 1854, by order of AVilliam II. 
Randolph and Charles Chandler, and surveyed by William H. 
Rile, County Surveyor, at that time. The town is located on sec- 
tion twenty-four of Macomb township, and in the midst of one of 
the best agricultural districts in McDonough county. The coun- 
try around is rolling prairie, although the timber land bordering 
on Crooked creek is not far distant. 

Bardolph is situated on the line of the Chicago, Burlington and 
Quincy Railroad, and nearly seven miles by rail from Macomb, 
and one hundred and ninety-six miles from Chicago. It is laid 
out with the railroad, the main streets running parallel with and 
the business houses fronting the road. The town was first given 
the name of Randolph, in honor of William II. Randolph, its 
founder, but on finding another town in the State having the 
same name, it w\as changed to Bardolph. 

The first dwelling house was erected by J^athan Jones in 1856, 
about the time of the completion of the railroad, and the first 
store building by Clinton A. Jones, which now stands on the cor- 
ner of Broadway and Elm streets. In this house Wetherhold & 
Jones started the first store in Bardolph. About this time J. B. 
Hendricks erected a building. Sinee then the growth of the town 
has been slow, but of a healthy and desirable character. Lots 
sold at from §50 to $150 each during the first settlement of the 
place; the most desirable lots, located on Broadway street, are now 
valued at |300. The first school house was erected in 1860 on 
the corner of Poplar and Green streets; it stands there at pres- 
ent, unoccupied. It is a two-story frame building, the upper 
story formerly being used as a Good Templars' hall. Plenny M. 
Wilcox taught the first school in this building, and the first direc- 
tors were I. M. Parvin, T. M. Allison, and 0. M. Hoagland. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 669 

April 15, 1869, Bardolph was incorporated as a town by a 
special act of the Legislature, and the following Trustees were 
appointed by that body: President, A. Russell ; Trustees, W. J. 
Merritt, AV. S. Hendricks, E. Dyer, K D. Clark; Clerk, David 
Adams. After this the Trustees were elected annually, the Police 
Magistrate acting as President. 

On the fifth day of February, 1876, Bardolph was incorporated 
as a village. The main cause for this change was that the town 
Trustees were also school directors for district number seven, part 
of which is in the country, and the people residing out of the 
corporation, therefore, had no voice in choosing the directors. 
This naturally caused dissatisfaction, and as a remedy the town 
was changed to a village, and a board ot school directors created 
separate and apart from the village officers. 

Annual elections are held on the third Tuesday of April, at 
which a president and five village Trustees and a Clerk are chosen. 
The first and present Board of Trustees are : President, II. A. 
Maxwell ; Trustees, E. D, Stevens, J. B. Knapp, J. M. Pelly, 
Lewis Wilson and J. T. IN'orris ; Clerk, T. A. Jackson. Bonds to 
the amount of $2,000 are required to be given by Treasurer and 
Clerk for the faithful performance of the trust and duties imposed 
upon them. 

Since the organization of Bardolph as a town, no liquor license, 
l)illiard or any other gaming license has ever been granted, and 
during this period but one case of assault and battery has oc- 
curred, which speaks well for the morality of the town. Bar- 
dolph may be considered as a strictly moral and religious village, 
perhaps more so than any town of its size in the county. 

The school building now in use was erected in 1874, at a cost of 
^4,500. It is a good four-room, two-story, frame building, 30x56 
feet. Three teachers are employed, at an average salary of $40 
per month. The average attendance is 120. The present direc- 
tors (this being the first board) are Columbus Hathaway, Robert 
Work and T. A. Jackson. Teachers now employed are : Princi- 
pal, II. M. Shannon ; intermediate, S. J. Park : primary, Miss 
Ella Walker. 

The population of this town is about 450. 

A beautifully located cemetery, owned by the village, lies one- 
half mile northeast of the main part of the town. This land was 
given to the town by W. S. Hendricks. 



670 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

The following is a correct official statement of the average num- 
ber of cars of freight shipped from Bardolph each year during 
the past five years: Wheat, 12 cars ; corn, 123 cars; oats, 19 cars; 
rye, 10 cars; cattle, 60 cars; hogs, 80 cars; flour, 5 cars; other 
freight, 126 cars. The amount received per year for the same 
time, was : Lumber, 41 cars ; agricultural implements, 1 car ; mer- 
chandise, 26 cars; other freight, 232 cars — giving a grand total of 
435 cars of all freight shipped for each year since 1871, and 300 
cars received during the same time. 

Fire Brick and Tile Works. — lu 1858 A. Horrock came to the 
town of Colchester, in this county, and for one year labored in 
the coal mines in that vicinity, when he was persuaded to go to 
Avon, in Fulton county, to serve in the employ of some party in 
the manufacture of fire brick, a business in \vhich he had consid- 
erable experience in his native land. lie only remained in Avon 
some nine months, when he returned to Colchester, again engag- 
ing as a laborer in the mines. Being of an observing nature, he 
noticed particularly the clay cut through to reach the coal, and 
conceived the idea that it was perfectly adapted to the manufac- 
ture of a superior qualit}^ of fire brick, and early in the year 1860 
he began experimenting, to see if he was correct in his estimate of 
the clay. His expectations were fully realized, and the following 
year lie began to manufacture on a small scale, and a very small 
scale it was. "Without a single cent, he began to get out his clay, 
and arrang'e farther for the manufacture of the brick. Finding 
he could not get along without some money or credit, as he was 
necessarily compelled to employ some help, he therefore went to 
a merchant of the town and arranged with him to furnish a few 
goods to his help on order, waiting until the brick should be 
burned for his pay. He now manufactured 14,000 brick, which 
he sold for $280, and on settling his store bill, found he had left 
$244, therefore spending but $36 for all the assistance received! 
In this way he obtained a basis for the extensive works now 
owned by the present firm. 

For three years Mr. H. continued to manufacture the brick, but 
in 1865, for some cause, he failed to engage in the work ; but in 
the year following, we find him engaged in the manufacture of drain 
tile in connection with brick, having made a small hand machine 
for that purpose. During this year it was with difficulty that he 
disposed of 1,000 feet, which did not increase for three years. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY G71 

The first tiling sold was for draining cellars onl}', it being impos- 
sible to persuade a farmer that it would benefit his land to have it 
drained. The Powerthat made the land and sent Ilis rain upon the 
just and unjust, knew better than he what w^as for the best, and 
no one could improve His handiwork. Shortly after beginning 
the manufacture of tiling, Mr. Ilorrocks made a proposition to 
Rutherford McClure, Esq., who lives near Colchester, to furnish 
him with tiling sufficient to properly drain five acres of land and 
agreed never to ask him for his pay until Mr. McC. was satisfied 
that is was of benefit to him and should order more. Mr. McClure 
replied, "Ilorrocks, you are a poor man, and I don't want to take 
advantage of you, and I know you cannot improve my land in 
that way." But time passed, and this gentleman desired to ar- 
range some way in carrying Avater from a well from one part of 
his place to another, for the purpose of supplying his stock. He 
went to Mr. Horrocks and asked bim if he could ditch and lay 
tiling from the well which would answer the purpose. Mr. H. 
told him that he could, but that it was unneccessary to drain the 
well as he could get all water he wished without going there. 
Mr. McClure scouted the idea : it was preposterous. He there- 
fore ordered the tiling laid in the direction of the well. The 
work was commenced, but the well never reached, there being 
as predicted by Mr. H. more than enougb water rushing through 
the drain from the pores of the earth for all his purposes ! The 
success attending this work pleased Mr. McClure so much that he 
stated he would not take a thousand dollars for the improvement, 
and immediately ordered another drain made, which led through 
a meadoAv; but he wouldn't do much, as he didn't think it would 
help the quality of the land any ; that couldn't be made better in 
that way. The drain was made, and when he came to plow the 
meadow the following spring, lo, and behold, that part wdiich he 
thought would be too wet to break was in prime order ! "What 
was the cause? The drain was suggested. Well, if that was the 
cause, it would surely kill the hedge fence, and Horrocks would 
have to be sued for damage I But the fence was, not injured but 
rather bettered, and Mr. McClure was a thorough convert to the 
principle and benefit of subsoil drainage. He now thinks he is 
going to have the best farm in McDonough county, the result of 
scientific and systematic drainage. Thus was one convert made 
— by practical experience. 



672 HISTOKY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Some time after beginning the manufacture of drain tile, Mr. 
Horrocks shipped one car to T. J. Beard & Co., Macomb, then en- 
gaged in the hardware trade, to sell on commission. Mr. Beard 
was considerably provoked about it, and told Mr. Horrocks that 
he never could sell them in the world, but happily before Christ- 
mas every piece was disposed of, and Mr. Beard tried to engage a 
quantity for spring delivery. From this time forward the trade 
began to increase, and by the year 1874 it required nine hands to 
do the work. Orders began to come in from different points, and 
it was with difficulty that all could be filled. 

During nearly all this time E. D. & J. W. Stevens, then engaged 
in the mercantile trade at Colchester, had been watching the course 
of events, and concluded that here was a good opportunity for in- 
vestment, that no better opportunity could be offered for develop- 
ing some of the wonderful resources of McDonough county. On 
consultation with Mr. Horrocks, it was found that satisfactory ar- 
rangements could be effected for forming a new company and en- 
larging the works. In some way it was learned by the parties 
that a superior quality of clay had been discovered near Bardolph, 
and while arrangements were being perfected for the formation 
of the new com;)any, experiments were being made with it, and 
the conclusion was arrived at that here was the place for the estab- 
lishment of the new works. 

In March, 1874, the co-partnership was formed between A. 
Horrocks, E. I). Stevens and J. W. Stevens, under the firm name 
of Horrocks, Stevens & Co., and arrangements perfected for re- 
moving the works to Bardolph. The capital stock invested was 
$15,000 in three equal shares. 

Mr. E. D. Stevens at once proceeded to Bardolph to arrange for 
the erection of the works. It was thought a shaft might be sunk 
near the town which would strike the seam of clay from which 
they had been experimenting, which had been obtained some two 
miles from town from the farm of David Holler, and thus obviate 
the necessity of hauling it that distance. A shaft was imme- 
diately sunk some thirty-two feet, fourteen feet of which was 
through quicksand. Of course this had to be abandoned. An- 
other was sunk a depth of seventy feet, when it was suggested 
that a small augur be used for boring, as it was thought the seam 
should have been reached ere this. After boring a few feet 
water began to come up very rapidly, and in a few minutes' time 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 673 

there was eighteen feet of it in the shaft. It was with difKculty 
the men could be got out before being overwhehiied. This like- 
wise had to be abandoned, since which time no further attempts 
have been made to obtain their clay in that way. It is now, and 
has been from the first, hauled from Mr, Holler's place. 

Between the months of March and May, 1876, an engine house 
and machine shop were erected at Bardolph, and in this latter 
month the works at Colchester were abandoned and all the fix- 
tures removed to their new location. About this time, or shortly 
after, the capital stock of the company was increased to $30,000. 
. To give a faint idea of the extent of the works we will say that 
the main building for drying purposes is 204 feet long, 36 wide, 
and two stories high, to which is attached the engine house and 
machine shops, 50x36 feet, two stories high. In addition to this 
they have four sheds, each 150 feet long by 20 wide, or a total 
shed room of 600x20 feet, and also three large kilns for burning 
the brick and tiling, each constructed with a downward drafts 
which gives double the heating capacity of the upward. The 
engine used is 20-horse power, but from the way it is geared it is 
equal to a 60-horse power. With the exception of some extra 
large brick, everything is made by machinery. The clay is 
ground (for some purposes us fine as flour), and moulded into 
proper shape by machiner}'. It is truly wonderful to notice to 
what extent the science of mechanism is carried. 

During the first year after their removal to Bardolph, the com- 
pany turned their attention more especially to the manufacture of 
fire-brick, but for the past two years they have given their 
attention more generally to drain tile, the sale of which has con- 
tinually increased, and is destined to increase steadily year by 
year. They now employ about twenty hands, exclusive of the 
teamsters, and manufacture two cars of tiles and brick per day. 
The principal sizes of tile sold are three and four inches, though 
a great many six and eight inches are made and quickly disposed 
of. Their trade in tiling extends principally throughout central 
and western Illinois, while in fire-brick it extends w^est to Colo- 
rado and east to Chicago and beyond. 

In July, 1877, R. C. Pointer purchased the interest of J. W, 
Stevens, and the firm is now composed of A. Ilorrocks, E. D. 
Stevens and R. C. Pointer. Any information desired will be 
promptly given by the firm. Address Ilorrocks, Stevens & Co., 
Bardolpli, McDonough county, Illinois. 



674 HISTORY OF m'uoNOUGII COUNTY. 

Clcceland lI- Son. — The history of pottery, if it could be written, 
would extend as far back as that of man. History speaks ot its 
existence 2,000 years before Christ, and it probably extended even 
farther than that. The moldine^ of clay as a useful and decorative 
art has long been known. The senior member of the iirm of 
Cleveland & Son — Mr. "William Cleveland — has been engaged in 
this line ot trade for nearly a third of a century, first beginning 
in Ripley, Brown county, Illinois. At that place there are at 
present seventeen potteries, the entire population of the village 
being interested in that business. One seen without mud on his 
person woold be considered by one of the inhabitants as a 
"bloated-aristocrat." The junior, Mr. 11. A. Cleveland, also 
learned the trade in Ripley, and is considered one of the best 
workers in clay in this country. Desiring to give his family 
greater advantages than they possessed in Ripley, Mr. Cleveland 
came to Macomb, in this county, and purchased, property with 
the intention of locating there. About this time, experiments 
were being made with clay upon the farm of David Holler, near 
Bardolph, and the citizens of that village made a proposition to 
Mr. Cleveland to locate with them, for the purpose of prosecuting 
his business, which proposition was thought to be fair and satis- 
factory, and was accepted by him. This was in the fall of 1870. 
Steps were immediately taken to erect shops and a kiln for that 
purpose, and soon the business was in successful operation. The 
firm is composed of William and H. A. Cleveland, under firm 
name Cleveland & Son. The clay used by the firm comes from 
Holler's banks. They manufacture, on an average, about 8,000 
gallons of ware per month, requiring for that purpose, 48,000 
pounds of clay. Seven men are constantly engaged in the works 
as turners, teamsters, &c. There is nothing that can be molded 
from clay but what can be turned out by this house. In additioii 
to all the common ware, such as crocks, jars, jugs, vases, &c., we 
notice in their ware rooms many articles that it would seem im- 
possible to mould from clay, such as fish, dogs, sheep, and other 
animals, etc., etc. A fine line of vases, yard ware, hanging bas- 
kets, etc., are always on hand, or will be made to order. The 
sales of this house extend throughout Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, 
Nebraska and Illinois. 

J. 31. <C- S. Work. — Among the best breeders of stock in this 
state is the above named gentlemen who commenced breeding 
fine stock in 1865, with a few 3'oung hogs bred by the "Illinois 



HISTORY OF m'dONOCGH COUNTY. G75 

Impoi'ting Company." In 1871 they began to import for them- 
selves, securing" during that and the following year, six tine head 
of hogs. In 1874 they imported the thoroughbred boar "Tandy" 
from Gloucestershire, England, and in 1876, "Kings Toombs," bred 
by Edwards Toombs, Oxfordshire, England, at a cost of about 
$200. This last importation was made at the importer's risk when 
the boar was but four or tive months old. Messrs. Work Bros, 
have made uniformly good success in this business, and their 
breeds are obtaining national reputation. They have exhibited 
their stock at many county and state fairs, and have taken more 
premiums than any breeders in this western country. In 1873, 
at the State fair at Peoria, they competed with the best herds in 
the United States and Canada, and received five blue and one red 
ribbon. They have one sow, named "Queen," who has taken 
premiums wherever exhibited, and is as fine an animal as can be 
seen. At St. Louis she has been exhibited twice, receiving the 
blue ribbon each time. During almost the entire time in which 
Messrs. Work have been engaged in the business they have had 
no cases of cholera on their premises, which certainly proves that 
they bestow great care upon their stock. They have a stock 
specially adapted to the purposes, and they now regularly ship 
pigs to all the western states and territories. They are good and 
true men, and can be relied upon. Any information desired will 
be answered by addressing J. M. & S. Work, Bardolph, Illinois. 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 

BARBER. 

Weaver, Harvey, Broadway. 

BLACKSMITH.S AND WAGON MAKERS. 

Danley, W. L., Elm Street. 

Gordon & WiLson, corner of Chesnntand Elm Streets. 

Piirniiui, Wm., corner of State Road and Elm Street. 

BOOKS AND DRUGS. 

Porter, Wm. N., Broadway. 

BOOT AND SHOE MAKERS. 

Coat«, S., Broadway. 

Parviu, S. R., corner of Elm and Broadway. 

CLOTHING. 

Jackson A Bro., Broadway near Elm Street. 

DRY GOODS, NOTIONS, BOOTS AND SHOES. ' 

Jackson & Bro., Broadway near Elm Street. 
McElroy, J. A., corner of Broadway and Gre^n Street. 

FIRE BRIfK, TILING, ETr. 

Horrocks, Steven."! & Co., west of town. 

GRAIN DEALER.s. 

N'orris, J. F., Broadway. 

Pelloy, J. M., elevator, corner of Green <fc Broadway. 



676 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

GROCERIES. 

Bennie, Win., Broadway. 
Jackson & Bro., Broadway near Elm Street. 
McElroy, J. A., corner of.Broadway and Khn Street. 
Porter, Wm. N., Broadway, 

HARDWARE. 

Fluke, A. W., (also Stoves and Tinware) corner of Broadway and Elm Street. 
Jackson & Bro., Broadway, near Elm. 
McElroy, J. A., corner of Broadway and Green. 

HOTEL. 

Jackson House, N. H. Jackson, proprietor, corner of Broadway and Elm. 

LUMBER DEALER. 

McCandless, W. F., Broadway. 

iMEAT MARKET. 

Bennie, Wm., Broadway. 
Falkner & Vincent, Broadway. 

MILLINERY AND DRESS MAKING. 

Hendricksou, Mrs. E. A., Broadway. 

Porter, Mrs. Mattie, corner of Broadway and Green. 

JIILL. 

Merritt, W. J., corner of Green and Chestnut. 

POSTMASTER. 

Parvin, S. R., corner Elm and Broadway. 

POTTER. 

Clevelaud & Son, Green Street. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Knapp, J. B. (alopathic), Broadway. 
Bikes, H. B. (alopathic), Elm Street. 

RESTAURANT. 

Dunlap, H., Broadway. 

STATION AGENT. 

Hendrickson, J. E. 

SECRET SOCIETIES. 

MASONIC. 

Bardolph Lodge No. 572, A. F. & A. M., Hall over Jackson & Bro's Store. 

ODD FELLOWS. 

Baidolph Lodge No. 371, I. O. of O. F., hall corner of Broadway and Green. 

MISCELLANEOUS SOCIETIES. 

Birdolph Literary Society, meet in school house. 

Bardolph Cornet Baud, eleven pieces; H. L. Booth, leader; T. A. Jackson, Secretary. 

Ladies' Temperance Union, meet at private houses. 

CHURCHES. 

Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Jackson Street. 

Methodist Episcopal Church, Jackson Street; Rev. J. E. Taylor, Pastor. 

Presbyterian Church, Elm Street. 

PUBLIC OFFICES. 
VILLAGE TRUSTEES. 

President, H. A. Maxwell : E. D. Stevens, J. B. Knapp, J. M. Pelly, Lewis Wilson, J. F. Norris; 
Clerk, T- A. Jackson. 

POLICE MAGISTRATE. 

Thomas Rabbitt. 

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE AND NOTARY PRBLIC. 

N. n. Jackson, oflice on Broadway near Elm Street. 

TREASURER. 

N. n. Jackson. 

CON.STABLE. 

E. A. Clark. 



HISTORY OK M"l)nN()r(;H <()I'NTY. 677 



CHAPTh]|| XLVI. 



('0LC1IK8TRU. 



Just before the completion of the Northern Cross — now Chi- 
cago, Burlington and Quiney Railroad — Mr. Lewis Jl. Little, the 
owner of the northeast quarter of section thirteen, Tennessee 
township, determined to locate thereon a new town, and for that 
purpose had the tract surveyed hy a Mr. Chester, then in the em- 
ploy of the railroad company. In honor of the surveyor he named 
the town Chester, but on learning of the numerous towns in the 
country by tliat name, he prefixed the term "(^ol" to the same, 
making it Colchester. The term "Col" may be said to be an 
abbreviation of the word "coal," then beginning to be an import- 
ant product of the count}'. 

Mr. Little made no public sale of lots, but placing them upon 
the market, they Avere disposed of rapidly, and the new town was 
soon under lull headway. I). W. Campbell purchased the first 
lot and erected the first house in the new town, and also brought 
the first stock of groceries to the town. He is yet a citizen of 
the place, and for manv years has occupied the position of town 
constable or deputy sherifi". 

The first building erected for hotel }turposes was built by John 
Shults, and is yet used for that purpose, being a part of the Clu's- 
ter house now owned by the old pioneer, J. C. Hobart. 

The first stock of dry goods and general merchandise ever 
brought to the town was by Smithers & Atkinson, but the first 
building erected for that purpose was by Major John Patrick, 
who was engaged in the mercantile trade in the town for many 
years. The building erected by Major Patrick is now occupied 
by the firm of A. d. Sniith k Co., who arc doino; a very extensive 
business. 
11—43 



678 HISTORY OF m'donouch county. 

Since the laying out of the original town there have been three 
additions made to it : the Urst by Charles E. Clilchrist, the second 
by Canotes, the third by the Quincy Coal C/onipany, Gen- 
eral Gilchrist made the iirst and only sale of public lots. At 
private sale the first lots sold from $20 to $60 each, and all soon 
passed out of the hands of the original proprietor. On the com- 
pletion ot the railroad the town grew very rapidly for about two 
years, when no further apparent growth was made until the time 
of the war, when immigration again was attracted to the place. 
As ma}' be inferred, the class of citizens by which the town was 
settled was principally miners, hard-working, intelligent men and 
women. Further on we shall make additional remarks in refer- 
ence to this class and to the coal interests of the place. 

In the mouth of April, 1857, a public meeting was held for 
the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of organ- 
izing the town under a special charter. The question was dis- 
cussed pro arjd con, and it was determined to submit the matter 
to a vote of the people. In May the vote was taken, titty-eight 
voting for and two against incorporation. So the town was in- 
corporated, and a Board of Trustees, consisting of five members, 
was duly elected. The following are the names of the Urst Board : 
John Patrick, Thomas W. Hunt, John E. Jackson, William 
Cowan, and W. L. Whitson. 

Colchester, like all other towns, has had its seasons of prosperity 
and seasons of adversity. Its most rapid growth was in the years 
1856 and 1857, just after the completion of tlie railroad. From 
that time until the years 1863 and 1864 but little was done; then 
the town began to improve again, but soon fell back to a state of 
apathy, which continued until the past year, when it began to 
take on new life. We now find it ra[)idly improving; new houses 
of the most substantial character are being erected, and the sup- 
ply of tenement houses does not e({ual the denumd. The town 
now contains a larger number of inhabitants than ever before. 
Many houses have two or more families in them, living in this 
way until better provisions shall be made for them. 

Colchester has many advantages not possessed by other to\\iiS 
of the county. The face of the earth not only yields its fruit to 
the work of the hands of her people, but the underworld is com- 
pelled to yield up her treasures, which go to enrich mankind and 
minister to the comforts of the race. Even should a drouth occur, 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGFI COUNTY. <)79 

these people have a mine of wealth in their coalhcds that cannot 
be affected by it. 

The demand for the products of this underworld has never yet 
been less than the supply; therefore, while other places may feel 
from time to time the effects of a monetary crisis, Colchester docs 
not suffer in comparison with them. 

The coal interests of this place have never been fully appreciated 
by the citizens of the county, while none realize the vast treasures 
which are underneath their very feet. We have spent much time 
in gathering items in relation to this work, and with pleasure sub- 
mit them to our readers. Until the year 1855 but little had been 
done in this field of labor. A little coal had been taken out of 
the drifts, but no systematic work had been undertaken. The tirst 
coal ever taken out and used for fuel, is said to have been by the 
Mormons between the years 1840-46. In 1853, James Roberts, 
now President and Superintendent of the Colchester Coal Com- 
pany, came to this count}', bought laud in the Welch settlement, 
and began mining on a small scale, continuing the same until the 
neigh of the iron horse was heard in the distance, when he en- 
larged his works, and by the time the road was completed in the 
spring of 1855, to Camp Point, he was ready for active operations. 
Securing about a dozen teams he began to ship to Quincy, hauling 
to Camp Point, and from thence by rail. This was the beginning 
of what has since developed into a great business enterprise, 
bringing itito our county annually thousands of dollars. From 
the time he tirst struck a pick in 1853, Mr. lloberts has continued 
in the business of mining. 

About the year 1855 a partnership was formed under the tirin 
name of Roberts & Co., soon changing to lioberts & Bros., then 
Morris & Roberts, then Morris & Co., then back to Roberts & Co., 
and then Morris & Spencer, and finally the company dissolved, its 
members forming two separate organizations under the names of 
Quincy Coal Company and Colchester Coal Company, the latter 
now being owned and controlled by James Roberts & Sons, tlie 
former by gentlemen living in Quincy and Colchester, with Mr. 
Thomas Rundle as the efficient superintendent of the mines, and 
IL S. Osborne, of Quincy, its able president. These two com- 
panies do an immense business, the Quincy Coal company in its 
mines employing one hundred and thirty men and sixty boys, and 
the Colchester company having forty men and ten boys. In addi- 
tion to this there are nearly as numy more engaged in neighbor- 



680 HISTORY OF M'l)OS:()U(iH COUNTY. 

iiig mines, or, in round numbers, a total of about foiir hundred 
engaged in the Avork, The pay roll ot the two companies to 
their regular hands is about $11,000 per month. 

During the past six years there has been shipped Irom this sta- 
tion an average per 3'ear of 0,828 ears, or 22 cars per day ; which 
reduced to bushels would be for the year, 1,707,000, or 136,560,000 
pounds. This gives one but a faint conception of the magnitude 
of the trade. It may here be remarked that Colchester coal is 
acknowledged by all to be the best in the State of Illinois. As 
a general thing matters have alwavs run smooth between the va- 
rious companies and their men, the latter receiving good wages 
at all times, far better than could be obtained in any other trade. 
An industrious man it is said, can make irom $75 to $100 per 
month at the rate paid — 6 cents per bushels. At the present all 
seem prosperous and contented. An impression seems to prevail 
among many that coal mining is unhealthy, we therefore made 
special inquiry as to its truth, and found there is no class of persons 
enjoying better health than the coal miners, not even the farming 
community. 

During the past five years there were shipped from this station 
an average per year of wheat, 1 car; oats, 6; corn, 15; rye, 3; 
cattle, 2; hogs, 13; coal, 6,828 ; other freight, lt'5. In the same 
time there were received of lumber, 21 cars ; agricultural imple- 
ments, I ; merchandise, 81 ; other freight, 60. These items make 
a very respectable showing for the town. 

In the cause of education Colchester keeps pace with the rest 
of the county. A large brick school building was erected but a 
few years ago at a cost of $8,000, and a nine-months' school is 
held therein each year. A proposition was submitted to the peo- 
ple for or against keeping the schools open that length of time 
each year, and the proposition was carried almost unanimously 
to continue, thus showing the people are alive to their interests. 
Kext to the church the school house is the great civilizer of the 
land. Good wages have always been paid their teachers, and 
usually the best have been employed. At present Professor 
Charles W. Parker is the etiicient superintendent. 

With respect to religious influences, the town has two good 
church buildings, represented by two denominations — Methodist 
Episcopal and (vhristian. Each ot these have good congrega- 
tions. 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 681 

The question of license or no license is submitted each year at 
their annual election, and, like other towns, it sometimes is carried 
for and then against. The monetary influence is the great argu- 
ment brought to bear to create public sentiment in its favor. We 
believe the time will come when all will be made to see that the 
money obtained directly from this source is always paid out with 
usury to sustain paupers and criminals made by the use of the 
liquors drank. 

The following named gcntlcnieu have served the town as mem- 
bers of the Board of Trustees since its organization : 

1857_johii I'atriok, Thomas W. Hunt, John E. Jackson. William Cowan and W. I. VVhitson. 

1858— J. H. Atkinson, John Patrick, Anson Uniierlnll, Abraham Pearson and Thomas W. Hunt. 

1859_William Edgerton, David Cowan. James Robinson, I. Ingals and I. B. Hunt. 

1860— A. Milliken, W. Cowan, Eli Gertoide, J. B. Hunt and D. W. Huddleston. 

IStil— K. Gertoide, I. B. Hunt, W. Cowan, i). W. Huddleston and William Smith. 

1«0J— Isaac B. Hunt, D. W. Hiuldlestoii, Eli Gertoide, William Cowan and William Smith. 

18i;3--William Edgerton, Archibald Morton, Abraham Newland, Sr., Thomas Smith and Lewis H. 

Little. 
18(U— Thomas Rundle, J. C. IFobart, A. W. Higbec, William Mt-Intosh and George Hilliard. 
ISiiS— W. C. Yaryan, Caleb Rippetoe, Anson Ihiderhill, Daniel McKinlay and W. H. Tallman. 
1S66— William Edgerton, I. B. Hunt. George Hilliard, William Smith and Thomas Terrill. 
18G7—George Hilliard, I. B. Hunt. William Smith William Edgerton and Thomas Miller. 
18G8— E. Rhodes, William Winship, I. B. Hunt, Charles Webster and W. H. Weir. 
18i;0— Richard Musson, Caleb Rippetoe, J. C. Vest, William Cowan and David C. Recce. 
1.S70— Charles Webster, Joseph Winship, I. B. Hunt, William Green and William Smith. 
1871— Richard Mus.son, Caleb Rippetoe, D. S. Thomas, I. B. Hunt and William Greenbank. 
1S71!— Charles Webster, I. B. Hunt, William Potter, William Smith and Paul Custer. 
1S7:?— Caleb Rippetoe, I. B. Hunt, William Potter, William Smith and Paul Cn.ster. 
1871— Caleb Rippetoe, I. B. Hunt, Paul Custer, William Potter and Joseph Winship. 
IH-.'S— A. W. Iligbee, Elijah Stookoy, I. B. Hunt, S. T. Moore and John Rundle. 
1S7(;- William Greenbank, I. B. Hunt, William Knight. Edward Hall and Abraham Newland, Jr- 

[.Vbraliam Newland, Jr.. and William Egerton received the same number of votes at the 

election, and ballots were drawn in Mr. Newland's favor. J 

With respect to the mercantile trade ot the town, Colchester 
has several good sized business houses, with firms doing a thriving 
business. Iler merchants are pleasant and accommodating, and 
iire public spirited men. Among the number we would refer es- 
pecially to 

Aliraham NewlanJ, Jr. — Among the business Arms of Colchester 
in which her people take pride, none rank higher than that of 
Abraham Newland, Jr. Captain Newland commenced business in 
u small way in the fall of 1866, two weeks after his return from 
the army, investing the entire amount of his savings in a stock of 
general merchandise. Before entering the army he spent almost 
his entire life beneath the earth as a coal miner, and thcrelore 
had no previous experience in mercantile trade: but he did have 
that which serves in its stead, a determined will, which, by strict 
attention to business and square and fair dealing, merits success. 
And success has crowned his efforts. The little "one-liorse store" 



682 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUiNTY. 

has grown to mammoth proportions, and few stores in the county 
carry a larger stock or do a greater business at the present time. 
The stock is one of general merchandise, such as is required in 
this place. Unlike other towns, nearly all the goods sold is on 
time, the miners receiving their pay monthly at a stated time, 
and therefore it becomes necessary they should purchase all goods 
required by them payable at such a time, and it is consequently a 
matter of convenience to them to purchase their entire supplies 
from one house, hence it is impossible to classify the trade here as 
elsewhere. Each miner, or his family, is supplied with a book in 
which all entries are made, and therefore it is known by each 
whether he is going beyond his means are not. 

In looking over the stock of Captain Newland we notice that 
in the line of dry goods his assortment is complete, having full 
lines of dress goods, cloths, cassimeres, bleached and unble ached 
muslins, prints, thread, buttons, gloves, and a thousand and one 
other things going to make up a stock of sundries connected 
with the trade. The boot and shoe department is likewise full 
and complete to overflowing, from the infant shoe to the heavy 
stoga boot or miners' shoes. In groceries you have as good a 
stock from which to select as anywhere in the county, and at sat- 
isfactory prices. With respect to prices on all kinds of goods, lie 
proposes to sell as low as any house in the county. Among all 
our acquaintances we know of no man more pleasant to deal with 
than Captain Newland. In his store you are always treated like 
a gentleman. The Captain is ably assisted by his brothers, who 
are likewise pleasant and agreeable gentlemen, who will use their 
utmost endeavors to please those who may favor them with a call. 
Those trading at Colchester can not do better than to patronize 
the extensive dry goods and grocery house of Abraham New- 
land, Jr. 

George C. Kratzer. — Every man knows the enjoyment in a neat, 
easy fitting boot, and the manufacturer of such an article de- 
serves well of the public and a good paying patronage. George C. 
Kratzer came to Colchester about three years ago unheralded and 
unknown and began the manufacturer of boots and shoes. Of 
course his success was limited in the beginning, having to estab- 
lish a reputation, but in him was perseverance personified, and 
he kept pegging away, and customers continued to multiply, un- 
til to-day he has a business of which he has no reason to be 
ashamed of. Customers once secured would always return, the 



HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 683 

qualitj of the work giving satisfaction to every one. With good 
workmanship, Mr. Kratzer combines pleasant and agreeable 
manners, and tries to please all who may favor him with their 
patronage. It is our hope that he will continue to prosper, that 
customers will increase, and satisfaction 'be rendered to all. Re- 
member George C. Kratzer when you desire anything in the line 
of boots and shoes. 

William Foster. — One ot the best men to do business with in 
McDonough county is William Foster, dealer in dry goods, cloth- 
ing and groceries. Mr. Foster came to this county many years 
ago, and in the mines and upon the face of the earth he worked, 
earning his bread by the sweat of his face. At his country's call 
he went forth to battle, and as a member of the gallant 124th reg- 
iment he did good service. At the close of the war he came home 
and again toiled as of old upon the farm and in the mines. In 
order to obtain better school facilities for his children he moved 
into town, and shortly after engaged in the mercantile trade. His 
stock consists of all things usually kept in a well regulated store, 
and he is constantly making additions thereto. Accommodating 
himself and with accommodating salesmen, he deserves success, 
and we trust his best anticipations may be realized. 

*S'. D. Mills. — No man is better known in the western part of the 
county than S. D. Mills. For some years past he has taken an 
active part in every matter of public importance in the village. 
Whatever will tend to advance its best interests will find in him a 
worker and not a shirker. Such men deserve success, and sooner 
or later success will crown their eflbrts. Mr. Mills, as contractor 
and builder, has built many of the best houses in the western por- 
tion of the county, his trade not being contined to his own partic- 
ular village and the country immediately surrounding it. Mr. 
Mills is regarded as a good carpenter and reliable man. In addi- 
tion to building, he carries a stock of lumber, lath, shingles, lime, 
liair and cement, and all other articles usually found in a well 
regulated lumber yard. Anything not on hand will be ordered 
on short notice, and sold as low as any dare sell in this county. 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 



Bowman, T. J. 



Coker & Fdlder. 

Reece, D. C. 
Shippy, J.B. 



AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS, 
BARBERS. 
BLACKSMITH SHOPS. 



684 



HISTORY OF M DONOLKUI COUNTY. 



Carstens, A. W. 

George C. Kratzer— lUso dealer. 



BOOT AND SHOE MAKERS. 



CONFECTIONER. 



Jones, Pavld. 



CARPENTERS AND BUn.r>EH.S. 



Siirtees, John. 

Mills, S. D. — also Lnmber Dealer. 



Hall, Mary. 
Mauuire, MissMollie. 
Mills, Maggie Mrs. 



DRESSMAKERS. 



DRUG STORES. 



Morey & Hen del. 
Thompson, Ci. M. 



Bright, William. 
Foster, William. 
Newland, Abraham, Jr. 
Smith, A. J. & Co. 
Stookev. r. A. 
Underiiill ct Son. 
Parks, Samuel. 



Union Hall, Underbill & Sons. 
Good Templars' Hall. 



Erdman, J. M 



Jackson, John E. 



Hall, John ct Bro. Mciee & Evans. 



Mflgnire, MolIieMiss. 
Mills, Maggie Mrs. 



GENERAL MERCHANDISE. 



HARDWARE DEALER, 



MEAT MARKET. 



MILLINERY. 



Campbell, (i. W. 



Hunt, I. B. 
I'err.v, T. ('. 
Tandy. W. M. 
Wear, Dr. 



Newland. Abraham Jr. 
Boyd, William. 
Slocum, Lance. 



Bowman, T. J. 
Wooley, Baraett. 

Christian Church. 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 



PHYSICIANS. 



POST MASTER. 



PICK AND AXE HANDLE MANUFACTURER. 



RESTAURANT. 



WAGON MAKERS. 



CHUKCHES. 



Mills, S. D. 




ITBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING, TEKKL!;SKE. 



HISTORY OK M DOKOl'CH COUNTY. 



685 



TENNESSEE. 

This town was laid out in March. 185 1, by J. B. Baker. T. K. Waddle and S. Cocker- 
ham. The route of the C, li. &, (J. Uailroad had ))een determine d and work along the 
line commenced, when the above named gentlemen thought it advisable to start a town, 
and no better location could then be found than was chosen, on section 22, Tennessee 
township, and on a beautiful and fertile prairie, about one mile south of Crooked creek. 

The lots are fifty feet front by 110 deep, and laid off fronting the railroad, about an 
equal number on each side. The two main streets run parallel with the railroad. Vacant 
lota on these streets are valued at from |i20 to $7.'">, according to location. 

For the first few years, until 18.'»8, the town grew rapidly. Stores, shops and dwellings 
grew up on every hand, and all was life and activity. It soon became quite a business 
point ; but since 18.58 the progress has been slow. While the class of buildings has 
been improved and the stores enlarged, the number of inhaliitants is scarcely more than 
several years ago. June 7, 18C>5, the place was incorporated as a town, and as a village 
November 25, 1872, which it remains at present. 




Hr.>INF.S.S IIOrSKS OF 1?. V. THOMPSON', TKNXKS8I:K. 



A calaboose or town prison was built February. 1872, and turned over by mischievous 
boys of the town Christmas eve, 1873, rebuilt in January, 1874, and destroyed by fire in 
November, 187r). 

The ft)llowing is a correct statement of the annual average number of car loads of 
the various kinds of freight shipped from Tennessee during the past live years: Wheat- 
12 car loads: coin, fii.^' cixrrf; oats, care: ry-, 4';j cars: cattle, 58 cars: hogi, 115 cars; coa 1' 
41 cars: other freight, 87 cars; or a total of ;5:?0 cars of freight shipped each year since 
1871. The average number of cars received per year during the same time are as fol- 
lows: Lumber, 10 cars: agricultural implements, 1 car; general merchandise, 215 cars: 
other freight, 32 cars, or fi5 cars per year, making 2fi5 cars more that were shipped than 
•were received. 



686 HISTORY OF m'lonough county. 

Few towns in the county of more pretensions can boist of a belter school building 
t'aan Tennessee, a line illu-itration of which is f^ivan elsewhere in this history. The 
building is sizii thirty-four by forty feet, built of red brick, with caps and sills of stone- 
As will be seen in the illustration, it has three gables, a neat Ijelfry being erected over the 
front one, the lop of which is sixty feet from the surface of the ground. The height of 
the ceilings i>n both lloors is fourteen feet. The rooms have a seating capacity of one 
hundred and sixty pupils. The building was erected in 187;$ by Messrs. Harker & Gose- 
lin, the former of Macomb, and the latter of Tennessee, at a cost of ^7,000. Miss Sarah 
Blazer, of Macomb, is the present principal, with Miss Laura Grafton, of Plymouth, 
assistant. Directors — William Cowan, John Myers and William M. Cook. 

BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL. 

.Aiken, J. \V.. physician aiiil surgeon. 

Babcoc'k, Jeremiah, proprietor of the saw mill. 

i!ook, William, constahle and auctioneer. 

Gracraft, Richard, lilarksiuith. 

Daugherty, John, hool and shoe maker. 

Dull, Mrs., proprietor Liberty House. 

Katon, J., dealer in dry goods, boots, shoes, etc. 

Ellis, W. 1)., restaurant. 

Green, David, flour and feed store. 

Henry, William, Station .^gent U., B. and Q. R. R. 

Hoiick, William 15., blacksmith. 

Hendricks, W. S.. physician and surgeon. 

Lower, J. H., boot and shoe maker and dealer. 

MeKenzie, Charles, wagon and carriage maker. 

McKenzie, William, postmaster, undertaker and furniture dealer. 

Nash, G. R., meat market and restaurant. 

Owen & Bro., dealers in dry goods, groceries and notions. 

Rapelje, H. L., harness maker and dealer in fancy groceries. 

Thompson, B. F., dealer in dry goods, groceries, hardware, etc. 

Walker, J. V., dealer in clothing, hats, caps, boots and shoes. 

White it Waddill, restaurant and confectionery. 

CHURCHES AND SOCIKTIES. 

Baptist Church— Elder W. R. Welch, Pastor. 
Catholic Church— Father Touhey, Pastor. 
Methodist Episcopal Church — Rev. T. P. Henry, Pastor. 
Masons, Odu Fellows, and United Workmen Lodges. 

niLLSGROVE. 

This place was laid out in 1871 by A. G. Owens and L. C. Bacon. It lies on sections 
twenty-eight and twenty-nine, Tennessee township. The town at present is of little 
importance, but the surrounding country is capable of supporting a considerable village, 
and no doubt Hillsgrove will bs a live little town on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy 
Raili'oad before many years. 

Dr. Edward H. Campbell, postmaster, physician, and dealer in drugs and groceries. C. 
Nelson, blacksmith, wagon and repair shop. 

COLMAK. 

This town was laid out in the early part of 1857 by William Graves. The plat lies in 
section seven, Lamoine township, and west of the C, B. & Q. Railroad, which runs in a 
northeasterly and southwesterly course through this part of the county. The plat is 
composed of eighty lots, 50x125 feet, in blocks of ten lots each. Lota formerly sold 
here at from if 5 to !|20 a piece. At one time considerable life was manifested and several 
stores sprang up, making the prospects for a business point quite flattering ; but at 
present but little of any kind of business is transacted. The location is rather unfavora- 
ble for a town, large portions of the surrounding country being timber land. 

The following is a statement of the number of car loads of freight shipped from Col- 
mar for each year during the past five : Wheat, 5 V2 cars ; com, 2 cars ; oats, 3 cars ; rye, 
ii}^ cars ; cattle, 2G cars ; hogs, 60 cars ; other freight, 78 cars. The average number per 
year received for the same time are : Lumber, 8 cars ; agricultural implements, 1-5 car ; 
merchandise. G cars : other freight, 7 cars. 



HISTORY OK m'doNOUGH COUNTY. 687 



CHAPTER Xl.Yir. 

SCIOTA. 

This town was laid out in September, 18G7, by William B. Clarke, and, in honor of its 
founder, was named Clarkesville, but there being another town in the State by the same 
name, the postoffice established there was called Amicus. Having the town known by 
one name and the postoffice by another was not satisfactory to the people, and both were 
changed to the name given the township, Sciota, so nam2d by settlers from Ohio who in 
that State Uved near a stream known as the Sciota river. Notwithstanding it has now 
been some years since the name Sciota was adopted, the town is more familiarly known 
and often called by its former name — Clarkesville. It is a bustling little town, situated 
on the T., P. & W. Railroad, about ten miles north of Macomb, and six miles east of 
Blandinsville, having a population of not less than three hundred souls. It is entirely 
surrounded by prairie, which extends north for a distance of thii-ty miles, and south 
about one mile to a small body of timber land. Ten years ago, Mr. Clarke was farming 
upon the present site of the town, and eleven years previous he purchased the quarter 
on which it lies for the sum of eight hundred dollars. The first plat of the town made 
by Mr. Clarke only contained twenty-four lots, G0xl70 feet, but since that time he has 
made two additions, and Mr. George Hauser has added one. Lots first sold at from fifty 
to seventy-five dollars each, the same now being worth from seventy-five to one hundred 
dollars. 

The first store building erected in the place was by L. King, and the first stock of mer- 
chandise of any kind was a grocery stock, opened by William H. Franklin, as agent for 
George W. Smith, of Macomb. The first stock of general merchandise was brought in 
by H. Gillam. The first postmaster was William H. Franklin. 

At an election held March l.*), 1870, a vote was taken for or against incorporation* 
which resulted in the adoption of the measure, and on the first Monday in April of the 
same year, the following Trustees were elected : John W. Tipton, 11. N. Henderson, John 
Walsh, J. K. Hunt and George B. Painter. This Board met on the first of May and 
elected John W. Tipton, President, and K. N. Henderson, Clerk. From want of interest 
and the opposition against incorporation, no further election was held until the spring 
of 1874, when the following named gentlemen were elected members of the Board of 
Trustees : William B. Clarke, M. E. Lavens, John R. Seybold, William Trower, and J. 
Obemeyer. In 1875 the Board was composed of J. Obemeyer, J. B. Duncan, E. S. 
Agnew, U. T. Douglas, and J. Nelson. In 187G, the following were the elective officers : 
E. R. Brown. J. Obemeyer, John B.Duncan. U. T.Douglas, and William B. Clarke- 
Elections are held on the first Monday of April each year. The present treasurer of the 
town is J. B. Duncan ; the constable is William A. Smith. For the past twenty-four yeara 
AVilham B. Clarke has held the office of Justice of the Peace for the township. 



688 HISTORY OK M'nONOlUiH COUNTY. 

Ilev. John McGinnis preached the &mt discourse in the town. He was a preacher of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Miss Emma Atkinson taught the first school ever held 
in the town. The jilace of preaching, as well as that of the first school, was in what is 
now known as Odd Fellow's Hall. 

In 1872 a good school building was erected at a cost of .11,200, to which an addition 
was built in 187.') at an additional cost of iffiOO. The building now has two large com- 
fortal)le rooms, and two teachers are employed regularly eight months in the year. Mr. 
D. A. Herlocker is the present efficient iirincipal, and Miss E. Pritchard, assistant. The 
average salary paid is forty-five dollars per month. The school has an average attend- 
ance of seventy scholars, and is known as District No. 10, Sciota township, and is two 
miles in length, north and south, and one mile in Ijreadth, east and west. The present 
directors are : S. M. Hall, Dr. E. Brown and J. ()l)emeyer. H. G. Boles taught the 
first school in the present school building. 

There are two Church buildings in the town, belonging respectively to the Christian 
and Baptist denominations, the first being erected in IHiVJ, and the latter in 1871. 

During the first few years of the existence of the town, it made very little growth, 
bat for two years pant it has been very prosperous, notwithstanding the cry of hard 
times heard upon every hand. The town is the largest grain market in McDouough 
county, and probably in this part of the State, there being more corn and oats shipped 
from here than any station known to us. In the past six years there have been shipped 
per year an average of 415 cars of corn and 74 of oats, the largest shipment being made 
in 1874-7.'> (the latter being the last year for which we have received the statement), 
which aggregated 1217 cars, or about 190,000 bushels per year. The surrounding coun- 
try is one vast corn and oat field and capable of producing an untold amount of grain. 
In town, corn pens are the most familiar objects on which the eye rests, and the cobs pro- 
duced when the corn is shelled for shipment form a staple article of fuel. One of the 
finest and best arranged elevators in the county was completed in January, 1877, which 
greatly facilitates the handling of grain. It was erected by "Wills Bros., of Peoria, and 
has a capacity of twelve thousand bushels. 

The mercantile trade of Sciota is better than is usually enjoyed by towns of its size, 
and her business men, as a class, are live, enterprising men, and work for the prosperity 
■of the town. Among the number we take pleasure in referring to the following named 
firms: 

Ohe>nc>/cr d- Tiro. — This is the oldest firm in the town, as well as the largest one in 
trade. The l)usinesH was first established in 18(!8, and from that time to the present it 
has continued to grow, until now the trade of the house is second to but very few in the 
county. During the past year the firm erected a large two-story frame building, and 
have the main store room crammed full of general merchandise, including dry goods, 
notions, boots, shoes, hats, caps, clothing, etc. They take pleasure in showing their 
goods and are never undersold. 

J. R. Sei/hol(J. — This gentleman commenced busiue.^.s in this town in 1870. He comes 
of an old and highly respectable family, well known throughout the whole county. He 
carries a fine stock of stabile and fancy groceries, glassware, queensware, hardware, etc., 
and proposes to sell the same in competition with any living man. His room is one of 
the largest in the town, and his stock is always first class and kept full and complete 
and up with the times. We trust his success will at all times equal his anticipations. 

Silas A. Webb. — This gentleman is the leading druggist of the place, and carries a fine 
line of all articles usually found in a well regulated drug store, including stajjle drugs, 
patent msdicines, paints, oils, lamps, etc. Prescriptions carefully compounded, and 
perfect satisfaction rendered to every patron of the house. In druggist's sundries, such 
as nail and tooth brushes, fine combs, coarse combs, long combs, perfumery, toilet arti- 



IIISTOKV OF M'DONOU(in COUNTY. 689 

cle3, shaving soap, and the thousand and ( me other articles usually' 8uj)plied ]>y similar 
establishments, the assortment will be found complete. Also, school and miscellaneouH 
books, letter, cap and note paper, pens, inks, etc. Give him a call. 

Ji. L. Shoiisc. — This gentleman came to Sciota in 1870, and engaged in the sale of a 
stock of general merchandise, a part of which he soon disposed of, and n(jw confineH 
himself to staple and fancy groceries, and articles usually following that trade. He car- 
ries the largest stock of goods in his line of trade to be found in town, and a stock that 
will compare in quantity and quality with many in more pretentious towns than Sciota. 
His trade is now largo and ct)nstantly increasing. He pays the highest market price for 
all kinds of country produce, and asks the i)atronage of the public. 

The following is an official statement of the average number per year of car loads of 
freight shipped from this station for the jiast six years : Wheat, Ifi; corn, 4ir>: oats, 74. 
other grain, 40; cattle, 50; hogs, 100; other freight, 13. 

BUSINESS AND PROFESSION AX. 

Aleshire, Peter, Douglas Street, groceries and qiiccusware. 

Blandiii, Charles, near depot, meat market. 

Hrown, E., lUiell Street, physician, and dealer in drugs, paints and nil. 

Dou«las. I'. T.. (;iay Slreel, carpenter and Imilder. 

Dully, M. V. , Buell Street, saddle and harness shop. 

Hall, David, Donf?las Stri'et, moat market. 

Henderson, R. N., physician andsurst'on. 

I^ong, Joseph, Fillmore Street, blaeksniith. 

Muiphy, A. G., physician and surgeon ; al.so postmaster. 

Mills it Bro., elevator. 

Obemeyer & Bi-o., corner Biieli and Douglas Streets, dry goods and notions. 

Parker, Dr., physi(!ian and surgeon. 

Prall, George, Buell Street, tinware etc. 

Kussell & Co., Douglas Street, boot and .shoe maker. 

Seybold, J. R., Buell Street, groceries, queensware and hardware. 

Sliouse, R. L., corner Douglas and Clay, groceries and queensware. 

Strickler. Sol., Fillmore Street, blacksmith. 

Tipton, A., Douglas .Street, groceries and <|ueensware. 

Tipton, John, Douglas Street, carpenter luid builder. 

Webb, Silas, Douglas Street, drugs, paints and oils. 

Wilson, Robert, Clay Street, blacKsmitii. 



Iiai)tist an<l Christian. 



Masons and Odd Fellows 



( IlfKCIIES. 



f,0< IKTIKS. 



GOOD HOPE. 

Tj3re is a giutJiMUJ riv.ilry bitw^en the varijus townn thit have sprang up along the 
lines of our railroads, which have been of great advantage to each. This we see clearly 
exhibited in the growth and progress of the town of which we now write. 

Scarcely had the line of the T., P. & W. R. K. been surveyed, before J. E. Morris had 
platted a town on the northeast quarter of section thirty-one, Walnut Grove township, 
seven miles due north of Macomb, to which was given the name of Sheridan. In July 
following, (1HG7), W. F. Blandin laid off a few blocks a little to the west of the proposed 
town of Sheridan, and christened the same Milan. Heie then were two rival towns on 
opposite sides, and only separated by the railroad. A postoffice named Good Hhpe had 
been in the neighborhood for some years, and the different names by which the town or 
towns were called were a little amusing. The railroad company issued its first tickets to 
Sheridan, and train men called out Milan as the cars stopped, but all letters had to be 
addressed to Good Hope. This state of affairs continued for some time, until finally 
both names of the town were dropped and the name of the postoffice chosen os the one 
by which it should be known. Since this time two or three additions have l>een made to 
the original surveys. The railroad runs due ea.st and west through the town. 



690 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGH COUNTY. 

Robert Morrison, it is said, built the first store room, on the old Monmouth road, and 
kept a small stock of confectioneries, etc. David Jacobs built the first dwelling house, 
and Samuel Lock opened the first stock of general merchandise, about the year 186G or 
18G7, before the town was laid out. After the organization of the town the first post- 
master was Jessie McDowell. As stated previously, a postoffice had been in the neigh- 
l)orhood for some years, D. J. Dungan being postmastm-, and having the office on his 
farm, one-fourth mile north of the present town. 

Strange as it may seem we cannot learn the precise time in which the town was incor- 
porated, the books being lost or misplaced, and no one able to give definite information : 
but enough is known to state that it was incorporated in 18G9, with the following named 
gentlemen its first Board of Trustees : J. E. Morris, Riley Adams, Joseph Whaler, H. B. 
Baker and C. H. Creel. Again, in 1875, it was incorporated under the general law crea- 
ting villages, and on the first day of June, in that year, D. Jacobus, H. A. Allison, A. 
Munger, C. Elliot, E. K. Hamaford and N. A. Walker were elected Trustees. In 1876, D. 
Jacobus, A. Munger, I. N. Rouse, William Parkins, S. White and H. A. Allison were elect- 
■pid. J. P. Higgins was the first magistrate of the town, and has been succeeded by the 
following named gentlemen : Silas E. Ratikin, James R. Campbell, Samuel Morris, and 
C. H. Creel, the present incumbent. 

The town grew quite rapidly for the first two years, after which, no material imi^rove- 
ment was made until the year 1875, whan new life was infused into every department 
of industry, new business blocks, new dwelling houses and other buildings were erect- 
ed throughout the town, and to-day, we find it one of the neatest young towns in the mil- 
itary tract, with three good churches that are live and active, with a good school taught 
by worthy and efficient teachers, her people generally moral and religious. Probably 
no more pleasant and agreeable place can be found to make a home than here. Sur- 
rounding the town is an excellent farming community with some of the best farms m 
the county. 

In the history of the place, there has been but one saloon, which was run during the 
first year of its existence, since which time it has been free of all such evil influences. 
The first sermon preached in the town was by Rev. Pickering, a Baptist minister, in a 
building erected by Stephen Smith, on the west side square. There are now in the place 
three church organizations, each having good, comfortable buildings, as follows : Pres- 
byterian, Cumberland Presbjterian, and Methodist. 

During the past five years there have annually been shipped an average of 21 cars wheat ; 
corn, 207 ; oats, G2 ; other grain, 32 ; flour, 1 : cattle, 71 ; hogs, 102 ; merchandise, 2G ; 
other freights, 7. 

There are a number of live merchants in the town, among whom we may mention the 
following named firms : 

AUinni Bros. — These gentlemen carry the largest stock of general merchandise of any 
firm in the town, and occupy a large and pleasant room on the southeast corner of the 
square. Their stock is well assorted in every respect, and comprises staple and fancy 
dry goods; notions, ready-made clothing, gents' furnishing goods, boots, shoes, staple and 
fancy groceries, etc., etc. They also engage somewhat extensively in buying and shipping 
live stock. Being pleasant aiul accommodating young men, thej- are worthy the patron- 
age of all. 

W. H. Collins. — This gentleman has lately erected a building on the southeast comer 
of the scjuare, esj)ecially adapted to his trade — that of harness and saddlery, and he de- 
signs always to keep [on exhibition a full and complete line of single and double har- 
ness, collars, bridles, whips, saddles, etc. Mr. Collins' large experience, together with the 
gentlemanly and accommodating manner of treating his customers will surely win for 
him succens. An easy fitting saddle, a strong and durable harness, is what all de.sire who 
ride or drive, and Mr. Collin.s can furnish the same. 



HISTORY OK M'DONOrari COUNTY. 091 

E. White. — Oue of the leading business men of Good Hope, and one who by hin 
straightforward, gentlemanly dealing, has won the respect and confidence of all, is ho of 
whom we now write. His store room is on the southeast corner of the square, is well 
littod up and well tilled with a good selected stock of staple and fancy groceries, glasH- 
ware, willow-ware, farmers' and mechanics' tools, etc. Mr. White well understands his 
trade, knows the kind of goods to buy. and knows how to buy that he may sell cheap. 

Collins d- ILimidford. — This is one of the leading firms of the town, and carries one 
of the largest and best stocks of lumber in the county. Coming to the town in IHGS). 
and establishing themselves in this branch of trade, by their straightftjrward, businesH- 
like manner built up a trade that would be a credit to older and larger establishments in 
the larger towns of the county. In their yard may be found a large stock of lumber, 
lath, sash, doors, shingles, posts, lime hair, cement, pumps, <fcc., &c. 

/. S. Wallin. — This gentleman is engaged in the drug basiness, and has proven him- 
self worthy the confidence of the citizens of Good Hope, as well as the people in its 
vicinity. His pleasant and social manners have not only secured him trade, but made 
him very many warm friends. Ho carries a full line of drugs, patent medicines, paints, 
oils, dye stuffs, school and miscellaneous books, wall paper, window shades, etc. Hia 
store is located on the east side of the square. 

The following comprises a full aud complete business directory of the town : 

BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL. 

Allison & Bro., southeast corner Square, dry goods and groceries. 

Bugg & Bros., dry goods aud notions. 

Byron, F., east side Square, boot and shoe maker. 

Campbell, David, east side square, iigriculturul implements. 

Campbell, K.., east side Square, postmaster. 

Collins, .W. H.. southeiist corner Square, saddles and harness. 

Goodman, J. A., south side Square, blacksmith. 

Long, C, groceries aud provisions. 

Morris, R. A., northea.st corner Square, agricultural implements. 

Mott, W. L., saddle and harness. 

Rouse's Hall, southeast corner Square. 

Suttle, P. K., confectionery and restaurant. 

'^winn, Mrs., north side Sqnare, millinery and dre.ss making. 

White, S., southeast corner Square, groceries aud provisious. 

CHURCHES. 

Cumberland P.-esbyterian, Presbyterian and Methodist Episcopal. 

ADAIR. 

Adair was laid out by J. Grimm aud J. Reedy in 1870. It is located on the north half 
of section 1.5, New Salem township, and on the line of the St. Louis, liock Island & Chi- 
cago llailroad. The name of the railroad station and post^ffico is Adair, but that of the 
town, Keedyville, by which name, however, it is scarcely known. 

Adair is located in the midst of the finest and wealthiest farming communities in Mc- 
Donough County, the farms surrounding ranking with any in Central Illinois, for stock 
and grain purposes. A town thus situated, cannot well help being of considerable local 
importance. The amount of stock and grain shipped fi-om this point is rapidly aasuming 
a good magnitude, averaging about twenty-five cars of stock and twenty of grain ler 
month, besides a fair amount of local tralfic and miscellaneous merchandise. 

The first business house and dwelling was erected by Robert Strickler, on the wes,; 
side of the railroad. The town now has a goodly number of each, and such straoture » 
as are very commendable to the people. The business men of the place are enterprising, 
and stand well with the community. The population of the town is now one hundred. 



BUSINE.S8 AND PROFE.SSI0N AI.. 



Baker, J., physician and surgeon. 
Bennett, J., general merchandise. 
Ulwell & Harrison, blacksmiths. 



692 HISTORY OF m'dONOUGJI CO LINT V. 

Epperson, J. L. . Station Ai;t'iit, S!t. Lonis DivlKion C , H. and Q. R. H, 

Ohapinan, OrNon, carin'nter ami Imilder. 

Miner, A. J., postmaster, and dealer in general merchaudise. 

Lyl)arlver, L. \V., l)illianl liall and restaurant. 

Montnfiue, Clnirles. boot and slioe inalier. 

I'ontious Uro-s., drngsand liardware. 

West, Kaiser <fc Co., grain dealers. 

Wissler, J., lumber dealer. 

CllUlUH. 

Melliodist Episcopal. 

NEW PHILADELPHIA. 
New PhiladelpUia is located on the east half of section twenty-three, Mound township 
on a rather flat plain or low land. It is situated on the Une of the Toledo, Peoria and 
Warsaw railroad, four miles south of Bushnell, and in a valuable farming district, capa- 
ble of sui^porting a town of considerable size. 

The south part of the town was laid out by Mr. Lloyd Thomas, in 18.57, when the rail- 
road was first surveyed, and named, by him. New Philadelphia, When the railroad was 
run one-half mile north of the first survey, Mr. P. Wilson and J. H. Langford laid out a 
town and gave it the name of Grant — this in the year IHOO. The t<jwn at present con- 
tiuns about eighty inhabitants. 

WALNUT GllOVE. 

This town was laid out liy William J. Edie, County Surveyor, under direction of D ' 
B. Keith, in 1870. It is on the southeast quarter of section one, Walimt Cirove town- 
ship, and on the line of the St. Loviis division of the C. B. & Q. Railroad. The sur- 
rounding country is thickly settled and well improved, and will doubtless afford trade suf- 
ficient to sustain quite a village. The following is a business directory: Blacksmith. 
J. B. Keith: Carpenter, H. Lynch; Dry Goods and Groceries, Hendee &. Russell; Grocer- 
ies, A. H. Harringtion. (also Post Master); Physician, J. W. Gustin, (eclectic.) 

SCOTTSBURG. 

Tliis place is on the T. P. & W. Railroad, four and one half miles east of Good Hope, 
in Walnut Grove townshij^. No regular survey has ever been made, or plat recorded, 
and no effort ever put forth to make the place one of special importance. Large quan- 
tities of fire clay are hauled here from David Holler's clay banks, on Crooked Creek, for 
shipment to Peoria and elsewhere. A station house, post otfi;!e and two or three dwell- 
ini'sare all that it contains. 



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